Aav vector for treatment of friedreich&#39;s ataxia

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are nucleic acids, recombinant adeno-associated viral particles, compositions and methods related to treating Friedreich&#39;s ataxia. In some examples, the nucleic acids, recombinant adeno-associated viral particles, compositions and methods involve use of a FXN coding sequence, a truncated FXN 3′ UTR, and a promoter.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/745,962, filed Jan. 17, 2020, entitled “AAV VECTOR FOR TREATMENT OF FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA”, which is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/568,961, filed Oct. 24, 2017, entitled “AAV VECTOR FOR TREATMENT OF FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA”, which is a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 of International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US2016/029084, filed Apr. 23, 2016, entitled “AAV VECTOR FOR TREATMENT OF FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA”, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/152,780, entitled “AAV VECTOR FOR TREATMENT OF FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA” filed Apr. 24, 2015, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Friedreich's ataxia is a genetic disease that causes damage to the nervous system, resulting in degeneration of the spinal cord and peripheral nerves. Friedreich's ataxia is caused by a mutation in the FXN gene that results in an expansion of an intronic GAA repeat, which leads to reduced expression of the mitochondrial protein frataxin. There is currently no approved cure for Friedreich's ataxia.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure relate to nucleic acids, recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) particles, compositions, and methods related to gene therapy for Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA).

As described herein, a rAAV nucleic acid vector was designed containing a codon-optimized human FXN gene with a truncated human FXN 3′ UTR, operably linked to a promoter. When this vector was delivered in a rAAV particle to cardiomyocytes differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSC) derived from FRDA, the cells had increased mitochondrial activity. This improvement in mitochondrial activity was correlated with increased levels of FXN expression in vitro. It is believed that this vector may be useful for treatment of FRDA.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a nucleic acid comprising an expression construct comprising a human frataxin (FXN) coding sequence and a truncated human FXN 3′ untranslated region (UTR) operably linked to a promoter (e.g., a Desmin promoter, a CBA promoter, a hFXNPro, or other suitable promoter), wherein the expression construct is flanked on each side by an inverted terminal repeat sequence (e.g., an AAV ITR).

In some embodiments, the human FXN coding sequence is codon-optimized for expression in human cells. In some embodiments, the FXN coding sequence comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. In some embodiments, the promoter comprises one or more of the following: a Desmin promoter, a chicken β-actin (CBA) promoter, or an endogenous human FXN promoter (hFXNPro), or a fragment or derivative of one or more thereof sufficient to drive expression of the FXN coding sequence (e.g., in human cells). In some embodiments, the Desmin promoter comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. In some embodiments, the CBA promoter comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7. In some embodiments, the hFXNPro comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8. In some embodiments, the truncated human FXN 3′ UTR has the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the expression construct comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 (or a portion thereof comprising a gene of interest under the control of a promoter of interest, optionally flanked by ITR sequences). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid is a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid is a single-stranded or self-complementary rAAV nucleic acid vector.

Other aspects of the disclosure relate to a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) particle comprising a nucleic acid as described herein. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises an expression construct comprising a human frataxin (FXN) coding sequence and a truncated human FXN 3′ untranslated region (UTR) operably linked to a promoter (e.g., a Desmin promoter, a CBA promoter, a hFXNPro, or other suitable promoter), wherein the expression construct is flanked on each side by an inverted terminal repeat sequence.

In some embodiments, the human FXN coding sequence is codon-optimized for expression in human cells. In some embodiments, the FXN coding sequence comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. In some embodiments, the promoter comprises one or more of the following: a Desmin promoter, a chicken β-actin (CBA) promoter, or an endogenous human FXN promoter (hFXNPro), or a fragment or derivative of one or more thereof sufficient to drive expression of the FXN coding sequence (e.g., in human cells). In some embodiments, the Desmin promoter comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. In some embodiments, the CBA promoter comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7. In some embodiments, the hFXNPro comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8. In some embodiments, the truncated human FXN 3′ UTR has the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the expression construct comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 (or a portion thereof comprising a gene of interest under the control of a promoter of interest, optionally flanked by ITR sequences). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid is a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid is a single-stranded or self-complementary rAAV nucleic acid vector.

In some embodiments, the rAAV particle is an AAV9 particle.

In yet other aspects, the disclosure relates to a composition comprising a plurality of an rAAV particle as described herein. In some embodiments, the rAAV particle comprises a nucleic acid as described herein.

In some embodiments, the human FXN coding sequence is codon-optimized for expression in human cells. In some embodiments, the FXN coding sequence comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. In some embodiments, the promoter comprises one or more of the following: a Desmin promoter, a chicken β-actin (CBA) promoter, or an endogenous human FXN promoter (hFXNPro), or a fragment or derivative of one or more thereof sufficient to drive expression of the FXN coding sequence (e.g., in human cells). In some embodiments, the Desmin promoter comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. In some embodiments, the CBA promoter comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7. In some embodiments, the hFXNPro comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8. In some embodiments, the truncated human FXN 3′ UTR has the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the expression construct comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 (or a portion thereof comprising a gene of interest under the control of a promoter of interest, optionally flanked by ITR sequences). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid is a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid is a single-stranded or self-complementary rAAV nucleic acid vector.

In some embodiments, the rAAV particle is an AAV9 particle (e.g., the rAAV particle comprises viral capsid proteins of serotype 9).

In some embodiments, the composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In other aspects, the disclosure provides a method of treating Friedreich's ataxia, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an rAAV particle as described above or as described elsewhere herein or a composition as described above or as described elsewhere herein to a subject having Friedreich's ataxia. In some embodiments, the rAAV particle or composition are administered via intravenous injection. In some embodiments, the rAAV particle or composition are administered via intrathecal injection. In some embodiments, the rAAV particle or composition are administered via intracisternal injection. In some embodiments, the rAAV particle or composition are administered via intravenous injection and intrathecal injection. In some embodiments, the rAAV particle or composition are administered via intravenous injection and intracisternal injection.

In some embodiments, the ratio of rAAV particle administered to the subject via intravenous injection to rAAV particle administered to the subject via intrathecal injection is between 10:1 and 1:1 (e.g., around 5:1, or around 10:1). In some embodiments, the ratio of rAAV particle administered to the subject via intravenous injection to rAAV particle administered to the subject via intrathecal injection is between 1:1 and 1:10 (e.g., around 1:5, or around 1:10). In some embodiments, the ratio of rAAV particle administered to the subject via intravenous injection to rAAV particle administered to the subject via intracisternal injection is between 10:1 and 1:1 (e.g., around 5:1, or around 10:1). In some embodiments, the ratio of rAAV particle administered to the subject via intravenous injection to rAAV particle administered to the subject via intracisternal injection is between 1:1 and 1:10 (e.g., around 1:5, or around 1:10).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present disclosure, which can be better understood by reference to one or more of these drawings in combination with the detailed description of specific embodiments presented herein.

FIG. 1 is a non-limiting plasmid map showing an expression construct containing a Desmin (DES) promoter, a codon-optimized human FXN coding sequence, and a truncated human FXN 3′ UTR, the expression construct flanked by inverted terminal repeat sequences (ITRs).

FIG. 2A shows an exemplary photograph of renal epithelial cells (REC) isolated from FRDA patients.

FIG. 2B shows an exemplary photograph of induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) generated from the RECs.

FIG. 2C shows a photograph of a contracting cardiomyocyte generated from the IPSCs.

FIG. 3A shows a series of exemplary photographs of cardiomyocytes generated from the IPSCs stained with different markers. (i) shows DAPI staining, (ii) shows NKX2.5 staining, (iii) shows TroponinT staining, and (iv) shows an overlay of (i)-(iii).

FIG. 3B shows a series of exemplary photographs of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) generated from the IPSCs stained with different markers. (v) and (vi) show staining with Neurofluor CDr3 and Hoechst dye 33258. (vii) and (viii) show phase images of NPC cell morphology.

FIG. 4 shows an image of an exemplary Western blot stained with an anti-frataxin antibody. “+” is FA2 cells transiently transfected with the FXN expression plasmid. “−”is FA2 cells that are not transfected. 1 ug, 5 ug, and 10 ug are amounts of purified FXN.

FIG. 5A shows exemplary aconitase activity in FRDA patient-derived cells. FA2=untreated FRDA cells, FA2+FXN=FRDA cells transiently transfected with the FXN expression plasmid, CTRL=Healthy control cells; CTRL+FXN=healthy control cells transiently transfected with the FXN expression plasmid.

FIG. 5B shows exemplary aconitase activity in FRDA patient-derived cells. FA2 CTRL=FRDA cell without transfection, FA2 TX 1 μg=FRDA cells transfected with 1 μg of plasmid, FA2 TX 5 μg=FRDA cells transfected with 5 μg of plasmid, FA2 TX 10 μg=FRDA cells transfected with 10 μg of plasmid.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary map of a Desmin promoter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Friedrich's ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a trinucleotide repeat expansion (TNR) of the frataxin (FXN) gene, on chromosome 9q12-13, which leads to a deficiency in the mitochondrial protein frataxin (FXN). FRDA affects 1 in 50,000 people worldwide and is characterized by progressive neural degeneration, such as ataxia, sensory loss, muscle weakness, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Symptoms generally present at puberty and patients have a shorter than normal life expectancy reaching 40-50 years of age.

Frataxin is a highly conserved, 210 amino acid (˜17 kDa) protein encoded in the nucleus. While frataxin's specific function remains unclear, homozygous deletions are embryonically lethal. Evidence suggests frataxin is involved in iron metabolism, iron storage, iron-sulfur cluster (ISC) formation, and protection against reactive oxygen species (ROS). Dysregulation of FXN leads to iron accumulation in the mitochondria and insufficient iron in the cytoplasm. Excess mitochondrial iron increases the incidence of iron-catalyzed reduction of hydrogen peroxide generating toxic ROS. The increase in ROS disrupts iron homeostasis in the mitochondria and affects the ISC aconitase, a major component of cellular respiration.

Currently patients with FRDA receive palliative care as there is no FDA approved treatment.

The major neurological symptoms of FRDA include muscle weakness and ataxia, a loss of balance and coordination. FRDA mostly affects the spinal cord and the peripheral nerves that connect the spinal cord to the body's muscles and sensory organs. FRDA affects the function of the cerebellum and also the musculature of the heart. There is a high prevalence of diabetes in FRDA patients as well. FXN deficiency in pancreatic islet cells causes diabetes (Ristow, M, et al., J Clin Invest. 112(4): 527-534, 2003).

In some embodiments, the neurological degeneration in FRDA patients needs to be addressed. In some embodiments, the cardiac disease in FRDA patients needs to be addressed. In some embodiments, there is a need for strategies to treat the systemic manifestations of the disease, which may include disease in the heart, CNS and/or pancreatic islet cells.

Over the past decade the field of gene therapy for the treatment of genetic diseases has made a resurgence including marketing authorization for an AAV product in the EU. In some embodiments, the fundamental principle is based on the ability to restore proper gene function in target tissues.

Herein are disclosed nucleic acids, compositions and methods that can be used to achieve global gene transfer using AAV vectors, and that can target both the neurological and cardiac impairment in FRDA. Herein, “global” refers to an entire organ, system of the body (e.g., CNS) or body. The disclosed nucleic acids encoding FXN, compositions and methods, which relate to both choice of promoter and routes of rAAV particle delivery to a subject, enable targeting multiple affected organs in a subject with FRDA, including cardiac muscle, pancreas (e.g., pancreatic islet cells), and/or CNS (e.g., dorsal root ganglia, and the cerebellum).

According to the disclosure, a gene therapy strategy that increases frataxin levels may be useful to treat FRDA or one or more symptoms thereof.

Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are among the most common vectors used in gene therapy due to persistent, robust gene expression, a lack of toxicity, and limited immune response. However, challenges in AAV-mediated neural delivery and targeting have yet to be fully characterized.

As described herein, a rAAV-FXN vector driven by a promoter sequence (e.g., a Desmin promoter) was developed and shown to be capable of increasing expression of frataxin and restoring mitochondrial function in cells from FRDA patients.

Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus (rAAV) Particles and Nucleic Acids

Aspects of the disclosure relate to recombinant AAV (rAAV) particles and nucleic acids. In some embodiments, a nucleic acid is provided, the nucleic acid comprising an expression construct containing a FXN coding sequence (e.g., a human FXN coding sequence) linked to a promoter (e.g., a Desmin promoter, for example a human Desmin promoter, a CBA promoter, a hFXNPro, or other suitable promoter). In some embodiments, the expression construct further contains a FXN 3′ untranslated region (UTR) that is 3′ to the FXN coding sequence. In some embodiments, the expression construct is flanked on each side by an inverted terminal repeat sequence (e.g., an AAV ITR).

Recombinant AAV (rAAV) nucleic acids are, herein, equivalent to rAAV nucleic acid vectors (e.g., a plasmid that is used to prepare a rAAV, a nucleic acid comprising a gene of interest and a promoter flanked by ITRs that are packaged in an rAAV particle, or other nucleic acid described herein that comprises or encodes a nucleic acid that is packaged in a rAAV, or that encodes one or more viral proteins). Accordingly, rAAV nucleic acids can be circular, linear, single-stranded, or double-stranded, depending on the context. In some embodiments, a nucleic acid is an RNA molecule. In some embodiments, a nucleic acid is a DNA molecule. In some embodiments, recombinant AAV (rAAV) vectors can be nucleic acid vectors that are used to transfect cells in which the expression construct that is comprised by the vector is packaged (or encapsidated) into rAAV particles. In some embodiments, rAAV vectors can be the nucleic acid flanked by ITRs (and including the ITRs) that is packaged in a rAAV.

It should be appreciated that a composition or nucleic acid described herein with reference to a particular sequence (e.g., with reference to a particular SEQ ID NO:) can be provided as a composition or nucleic acid (e.g., RNA or DNA) comprising a single-stranded nucleic acid having that sequence, or a composition or nucleic acid (e.g., RNA or DNA) comprising a single-stranded nucleic acid having the complement of that sequence, or a composition or nucleic acid (e.g., RNA or DNA) comprising a double-stranded nucleic acid one strand of which has that sequence, or a composition or nucleic acid (e.g., RNA or DNA) comprising a portion of one or more of such nucleic acids, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the FXN coding sequence encodes a human frataxin protein. An exemplary human frataxin protein is shown below:

Exemplary human FXN protein (SEQ ID NO: 6) MWTLGRRAVAGLLASPSPAQAQTLTRVPRPAELAPLCGRRGLRTDIDATC TPRRASSNQRGLNQIWNVKKQSVYLMNLRKSGTLGHPGSLDETTYERLAE ETLDSLAEFFEDLADKPYTFEDYDVSFGSGVLTVKLGGDLGTYVINKQTP NKQIWLSSPSSGPKRYDWTGKNWVFSHDGVSLHELLAAELTKALKTKLDL SWLAYSGKDAIDIPSPVLRTLKAIRPRPQLHYAAEVCFLLLLLFIFFIPA FEDSWAMCHSSVERMCCLLPCPQVLIFNFYGRFFGLSDFLPHMIPLIFYN VLCLYLNITTFKKAK

In some embodiments, the FXN coding sequence is codon-optimized for expression in human cells, e.g., by adjusting codon usage within the coding sequence to codons commonly used by human cells. In some embodiments, the FXN coding sequence is further optimized to remove extra GC content, ribosomal binding sites, consensus and cryptic splice sites, repeats, and/or secondary structures. Optimization of coding sequences (e.g., codon-optimization) can be accomplished using any method known in the art, e.g., using GeneOptimizer® software from LifeTechnologies. In some embodiments, the codon-optimized human FXN coding sequence is at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100% identical to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. In some embodiments, the codon-optimized human FXN coding sequence comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

Exemplary Codon-Optimized Human FXN Coding Sequence

(SEQ ID NO: 1) ATGTGGACACTGGGGAGAAGGGCCGTGGCTGGACTGCTGGCTTCTCCATC TCCAGCCCAGGCCCAGACCCTGACCAGAGTGCCTAGACCTGCCGAACTGG CCCCTCTGTGTGGCAGAAGAGGCCTGAGAACCGACATCGACGCCACCTGT ACCCCCAGAAGGGCCAGCAGCAATCAGCGGGGCCTGAATCAGATCTGGAA CGTGAAGAAACAGAGCGTGTACCTGATGAACCTGAGAAAGAGCGGCACCC TOGGCCACCCTGGAAGCCTGGATGAGACAACCTACGAGCGGCTGGCCGAG GAAACCCTGGATTCCCTGGCCGAGTTCTTCGAGGACCTGGCCGACAAGCC CTACACCTTCGAGGATTACGACGTGTCCTTCGGCAGCGGCGTGCTGACAG TGAAGCTGGGCGGAGATCTGGGCACCTACGTGATCAACAAGCAGACCCCC AACAAACAGATCTGGCTGAGCAGCCCCAGCAGCGGCCCCAAGAGATACGA TTGGACCGGCAAGAACTOGGTOTTCAGCCACGACGGCGTOTCCCTGCATG AGCTGCTGGCTGCCGAGCTGACCAAGGCCCTGAAAACAAAGCTGGACCTG AGCTGGCTGGCCTACAGCGGCAAAGATGCCATCGATATCCCCAGCCCCGT TTTAAGGACATTAAAAGCTATCAGGCCAAGACCCCAGCTTCATTATGCAG CTGAGGTCTGTTTTTTGTTGTTGTTGTTGTTTATTTTTTTTATTCCTGCT TTTGAGGACAGTTGGGCTATGTGTCACAGCTCTGTAGAAAGAATGTGTTG CCTCCTACCTTGCCCCCAAGTTCTGATTTTTAATTTCTATGGAAGATTTT TTGGATTGTCGGATTTCCTCCCTCACATGATACCCCTTATCTTTTATAAT GTCTTATGCCTATACCTGAATATAACAACCTTTAAAAAAGCAAAATAA

In some embodiments, the promoter is a Desmin promoter, or a fragment or variant thereof that has at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, or more of the activity (e.g., promotion of transcription of a gene, such as in a neuronal or muscle cell) of a wild-type human Desmin promoter. In some embodiments, the promoter comprises two or more fragments of a Desmin promoter (e.g., an enhancer fragment and a basal promoter fragment, which may be fused together optionally with a spacer sequence). The fragment(s) may be 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 150, 200, 250, 500, 1000 or more nucleotides shorter than a wild-type human Desmin promoter. In some embodiments, the Desmin promoter comprises one or more of (e.g., one, two, three, or four of) a MEF2 responsive element, a MyoD E-box, a CACC box and a TATA box. In some embodiments, the promoter has a sequence that is at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100% identical to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. In some embodiments, the promoter is a Desmin promoter having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Exemplary Desmin promoter sequence (potential MEF2 responsive element (with 9 bp AT-rick core) at position 65-73, MyoD E-box at position 97-102, CACC box at position 160-163 (binds nuclear factors present in cardiac and skeletal muscle myocytes), CACC box at position 176-179, CACC box at position 179-182, CACC box at position 253-256, MyoD E-box at position 270-275, CACC box at position 338-341, MyoD E-box at position 542-547, TATA box at position 585-590, and CACC box at position 696-699).

(SEQ ID NO: 2) GATCTTACCCCCTGCCCCCCACAGCTCCTCTCCTGTGCCTTGTTTCCCAG CCATGCGTTCTCCTCTATAAATACCCGCTCTGGTATTTGGGGTTGGCAGC TGTTGCTGCCAGGGAGATGGTTGGGTTGACATGCGGCTCCTGACAAAACA CAAACCCCTGGTGTGTGTGGGCGTGGGTGGTGTGAGTAGGGGGATGAATC AGGGAGGGGGCGGGGGACCCAGGGGGCAGGAGCCACACAAAGTCTGTGCG GGGGTGGGAGCGCACATAGCAATTGGAAACTGAAAGCTTATCAGACCCTT TCTGGAAATCAGCCCACTGTTTATAAACTTGAGGCCCCACCCTCGAGATA ACCAGGGCTGAAAGAGGCCCGCCTGGGGGCTGGAGACATGCTTGCTGCCT GCCCTGGCGAAGGATTGGCAGGCTTGCCCGTCACAGGACCCCCGCTGGCT GACTCAGGGGCGCAGGCCTCTTGCGGGGGAGCTGGCCTCCCCGCCCCCAC GGCCACGGGCCGCCCTTTCCTGGCAGGACAGCGGGATCTTGCAGCTGTCA GGGGAGGGGAGGCGGGGGCTGATGTCAGGAGGGATACAAATAGTGCCGAC GGCTGGGGGCCCTGTCTCCCCTCGCCGCATCCACTCTCCGGCCGGCCGCC TGTCCGCCGCCTCCTCCGTGCGCCCGCCAGCCTCGCCCGCGCCGTCACCG TGAGGCACTGGG

In some embodiments, the promoter is a Chicken β-actin (CBA) promoter, or a fragment or variant thereof that has at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, or more of the activity (e.g., promotion of transcription of a gene, such as in a neuronal or muscle cell) of a wild-type full-length promoter. In some embodiments, the promoter comprises two or more fragments of a CBA promoter (e.g., an enhancer fragment and a basal promoter fragment, which may be fused together optionally with a spacer sequence). The fragment(s) may be 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 150, 200, 250, 500, 1000 or more nucleotides shorter than the full-length CBA promoter. In some embodiments, the CBA promoter comprises one or more of (e.g., one, two, three, or four of) a MEF2 responsive element, a MyoD E-box, a CACC box and a TATA box. In some embodiments, the promoter has a sequence that is at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100% identical to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7. In some embodiments, the promoter is a CBA promoter having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7.

Exemplary CBA promoter sequence (SEQ ID NO: 7) ctagatctgaattcggtaccctagttattaatagtaatcaattacggggt cattagttcatagcccatatatggagttccgcgttacataacttacggta aatggcccgcctggctgaccgcccaacgacccccgcccattgacgtcaat aatgacgtatgttcccatagtaacgccaatagggactttccattgacgtc aatgggtggactatttacggtaaactgcccacttggcagtacatcaagtg tatcatatgccaagtacgccccctattgacgtcaatgacggtaaatggcc cgcctggcattatgcccagtacatgaccttatgggactttcctacttggc agtacatctacgtattagtcatcgctattaccatggtcgaggtgagcccc acgttctgcttcactctccccatctcccccccctccccacccccaatttt gtatttatttattttttaattattttgtgcagcgatgggggcgggggggg ggggggggcgcgcgccaggcggggcggggcggggcgaggggcggggcggg gcgaggcggagaggtgcggcggcagccaatcagagcggcgcgctccgaaa gtttccttttatggcgaggcggcggcggcggcggccctataaaaagcgaa gcgcgcggcgggcgggagtcgctgcgacgctgccttcgccccgtgccccg ctccgccgccgcctcgcgccgcccgccccggctctgactgaccgcgttac tcccacaggtgagcgggcgggacggcccttctcctccgggctgtaattag cgcttggtttaatgacggcttgtttcttttctgtggctgcgtgaaagcct tgaggggctccgggagggccctttgtgcgggggggagcggctcggggggt gcgtgcgtgtgtgtgtgcgtggggagcgccgcgtgcggcccgcgctgccc ggcggctgtgagcgctgcgggcgcggcgcggggctttgtgcgctccgcag tgtgcgcgaggggagcgcggccgggggcggtgccccgcggtgcggggggg gctgcgaggggaacaaaggctgcgtgcggggtgtgtgcgtgggggggtga gcagggggtgtgggcgcggcggtcgggctgtaacccccccctgcaccccc ctccccgagttgctgagcacggcccggcttcgggtgcggggctccgtacg gggcgtggcgcggggctcgccgtgccgggcggggggtggcggcaggtggg ggtgccgggcggggcggggccgcctcgggccggggagggctcgggggagg ggcgcggcggcccccggagcgccggcggctgtcgaggcgcggcgagccgc agccattgccttttatggtaatcgtgcgagagggcgcagggacttccttt gtcccaaatctgtgcggagccgaaatctgggaggcgccgccgcaccccct ctagcgggcgcggggcgaagcggtgcggcgccggcaggaaggaaatgggc ggggagggccttcgtgcgtcgccgcgccgccgtccccttctccctctcca gcctcggggctgtccgcggggggacggctgccttcgggggggacggggca gggcggggttcggcttctggcgtgtgaccggcggctctagagcctctgct aaccatgttcatgccttcttctttttcctacagctcctgggcaacgtgct ggttattgtgctgtctcatcattttggcaaagaattcctcgaagatccga aggggttcaagcttaaaaa

In some embodiments, the promoter is a human FXN promoter (hFXNPro promoter), or a fragment or variant thereof that has at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, or more of the activity (e.g., promotion of transcription of a gene, such as in a neuronal or muscle cell) of a wild-type hFXNPro. In some embodiments, the promoter comprises two or more fragments of a hFXNPro (e.g., an enhancer fragment and a basal promoter fragment, which may be fused together optionally with a spacer sequence). The fragment(s) may be 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 150, 200, 250, 500, 1000 or more nucleotides shorter than a wild-type hFXNPro. In some embodiments, the hFXNPro comprises one or more of (e.g., one, two, three, or four of) a MEF2 responsive element, a MyoD E-box, a CACC box and a TATA box. In some embodiments, the promoter has a sequence that is at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100% identical to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8. In some embodiments, the promoter is a hFXNPro having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8.

Exemplary hFXNPro sequence (SEQ ID NO: 8) AAGAAAACTTTCACAATTTGCATCCCTTTGTAATATGTAACAGAAATAAA ATTCTCTTTTAAAATCTATCAACAATAGGCAAGGCACGGTGGCTCACGCC TGTCGTCTCAGCACTTTGTGAGGCCCAGGCGGGCAGATCGTTTGAGCCTA GAAGTTCAAGACCACCCTGGGCAACATAGCGAAACCCCCTTTCTACAAAA AATACAAAAACTAGCTGGGTGTGGTGGTGCACACCTGTAGTCCCAGCTAC TTGGAAGGCTGAAATGGGAAGACTGCTTGAGCCCGGGAGGGAGAAGTTGC AGTAAGCCAGGACCACACCACTGCACTCCAGCCTGGGCAACAGAGTGAGA CTCTGTCTCAAACAAACAAATAAATGAGGCGGGTGGATCACGAGGTCAGT AGATCGAGACCATCCTGGCTAACACGGTGAAACCCGTCTCTACTAAAAAA AAAAAAAAATACAAAAAATTAGCCAGGCATGGTGGCGGGCGCCTGTAGTC CCAGTTACTCGGGAGGCTGAGGCAGGAGAATGGCGTGAAACCGGGAGGCA GAGCTTGCAGTGAGCCGAGATCGCACCACTGCCCTCCAGCCTGGGCGACA GAGCGAGACTCCGTCTCAATCAATCAATCAATCAATAAAATCTATTAACA ATATTTATTGTGCACTTAACAGGAACATGCCCTGTCCAAAAAAAACTTTA CAGGGCTTAACTCATTTTATCCTTACCACAATCCTATGAAGTAGGAACTT TTATAAAACGCATTTTATAAACAAGGCACAGAGAGGTTAATTAACTTGCC CTCTGGTCACACAGCTAGGAAGTGGGCAGAGTACAGATTTACACAAGGCA TCCGTCTCCTGGCCCCACATACCCAACTGCTGTAAACCCATACCGGCGGC CAAGCAGCCTCAATTTGTGCATGCACCCACTTCCCAGCAAGACAGCAGCT CCCAAGTTCCTCCTGTTTAGAATTTTAGAAGCGGCGGGCCACCAGGCTGC agtctcccttgggtcaggggtcctggttgcactccgtgctttgcacaaag caggctctccatttttgttaaatgcacgaatagtgctaagctgggaagtt cttcctgaggtctaacctctagctgctcccccacagaagagtgcctgcgg ccagtggccaccaggggtcgccgcagcacccagcgctggagggcggagcg ggcggcagacccggagcagc

In some embodiments, the promoter has a sequence that is at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100% identical to the sequence identified as nucleotides 2312-2404 of GenBank accession No. NC_001510.1.

In some embodiments, the FXN 3′ untranslated region (UTR) is a truncated FXN 3′ UTR. In some embodiments, the truncated FXN 3′ UTR is a truncated human FXN 3′ UTR. In some embodiments, the truncated FXN 3′ UTR is at least 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000 or more nucleotides shorter than a wild-type FXN 3′ UTR. In some embodiments, the 3′ UTR is truncated (e.g., by at least 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000 or more nucleotides) and the truncated sequence has at least 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity with the corresponding sequence in a wild-type FXN 3′ UTR. In some embodiments, the 3′ UTR is truncated relative to the below wild-type FXN 3′ UTR. In some embodiments, the truncated 3′ UTR is no more than 2000, 1900, 1800, 1700, 1600, 1500, 1400, 1300, 1200, 1100, or 1000 nucleotides in length.

Exemplary human FXN 3′ UTR (SEQ ID NO: 9) 1 ACTAGTGCCA CCATGTGGAC ACTGGGGAGA AGGGCCGTGG CTGGACTGCT GGCTTCTCCA  61 TCTCCAGCCC AGGCCCAGAC CCTGACCAGA GTGCCTAGAC CTGCCGAACT GGCCCCTCTG  121 TGTGGCAGAA GAGGCCTGAG AACCGACATC GACGCCACCT GTACCCCCAG AAGGGCCAGC  181 AGCAATCAGC GGGGCCTGAA TCAGATCTGG AACGTGAAGA AACAGAGCGT GTACCTGATG  241 AACCTGAGAA AGAGCGGCAC CCTGGGCCAC CCTGGAAGCC TGGATGAGAC AACCTACGAG  301 CGGCTGGCCG AGGAAACCCT GGATTCCCTG GCCGAGTTCT TCGAGGACCT GGCCGACAAG  361 CCCTACACCT TCGAGGATTA CGACGTGTCC TTCGGCAGCG GCGTGCTGAC AGTGAAGCTG  421 GGCGGAGATC TGGGCACCTA CGTGATCAAC AAGCAGACCC CCAACAAACA GATCTGGCTG  481 AGCAGCCCCA GCAGCGGCCC CAAGAGATAC GATTGGACCG GCAAGAACTG GGTGTTCAGC  541 CACGACGGCG TGTCCCTGCA TGAGCTGCTG GCTGCCGAGC TGACCAAGGC CCTGAAAACA  601 AAGCTGGACC TGAGCTGGCT GGCCTACAGC GGCAAAGATG CCATCGATAT CCCCAGCCCC  661 GTTTTAAGGA CATTAAAAGC TATCAGGCCA AGACCCCAGC TTCATTATGC AGCTGAGGTC  721 TGTTTTTTGT TGTTGTTGTT GTTTATTTTT TTTATTCCTG CTTTTGAGGA CAGTTGGGCT  781 ATGTGTCACA GCTCTGTAGA AAGAATGTGT TGCCTCCTAC CTTGCCCCCA AGTTCTGATT  841 TTTAATTTCT ATGGAAGATT TTTTGGATTG TCGGATTTCC TCCCTCACAT GATACCCCTT  901 ATCTTTTATA ATGTCTTATG CCTATACCTG AATATAACAA CCTTTAAAAA AGCAAAATAA  961 TAAGAAGGAA AAATTCCAGG AGGGAAAATG AATTGTCTTC ACTCTTCATT CTTTGAAGGA  1021 TTTACTGCAA GAAGTACATG AAGAGCAGCT GGTCAACCTG CTCACTGTTC TATCTCCAAA  1081 TGAGACACAT TAAAGGGTAG CCTACAAATG TTTTCAGGCT TCTTTCAAAG TGTAAGCACT  1141 TCTGAGCTCT TTAGCATTGA AGTGTCGAAA GCAACTCACA CGGGAAGATC ATTTCTTATT  1201 TGTGCTCTGT GACTGCCAAG GTGTGGCCTG CACTGGGTTG TCCAGGGAGA CATGCATCTA  1261 GTGCTGTTTC TCCCACATAT TCACATACGT GTCTGTGTGT ATATATATTT TTTCAATTTA  1321 AAGGTTAGTA TGGAATCAGC TGCTACAAGA ATGCAAAAAA TCTTCCAAAG ACAAGAAAAG  1381 AGGAAAAAAA GCCGTTTTCA TGAGCTGAGT GATGTAGCGT AACAAACAAA ATCATGGAGC  1441 TGAGGAGGTG CCTTGTAAAC ATGAAGGGGC AGATAAAGGA AGGAGATACT CATGTTGATA  1501 AAGAGAGCCC TGGTCCTAGA CATAGTTCAG CCACAAAGTA GTTGTCCCTT TGTGGACAAG  1561 TTTCCCAAAT TCCCTGGACC TCTGCTTCCC CATCTGTTAA ATGAGAGAAT AGAGTATGGT  1621 TGATTCCCAG CATTCAGTGG TCCTGTCAAG CAACCTAACA GGCTAGTTCT AATTCCCTAT  1681 TGGGTAGATG AGGGGATGAC AAAGAACAGT TTTTAAGCTA TATAGGAAAC ATTGTTATTG  1741 GTGTTGCCCT ATCGTGATTT CAGTTGAATT CATGTGAAAA TAATAGCCAT CCTTGGCCTG  1801 GCGCGGTGGC TCACACCTGT AATCCCAGCA CTTTTGGAGG CCAAGGTGGG TGGATCACCT  1861 GAGGTCAGGA GTTCAAGACC AGCCTGGCCA ACATGATGAA ACCCCGTCTC TACTAAAAAT  1921 ACAAAAAATT AGCCGGGCAT GATGGCAGGT GCCTGTAATC CCAGCTACTT GGGAGGCTGA  1981 AGCGGAAGAA TCGCTTGAAC CCAGAGGTGG AGGTTGCAGT GAGCCGAGAT CGTGCCATTG  2041 CACTGTAACC TGGGTGACTG AGCAAAACTC TGTCTCAAAA TAATAATAAC AATATAATAA  2101 TAATAATAGC CATCCTTTAT TGTACCCTTA CTGGGTTAAT CGTATTATAC CACATTACCT  2161 CATTTTAATT TTTACTGACC TGCACTTTAT ACAAAGCAAC AAGCCTCCAG GACATTAAAA  2221 TTCATGCAAA GTTATGCTCA TGTTATATTA TTTTCTTACT TAAAGAAGGA TTTATTAGTG  2281 GCTGGGCATG GTGGCGTGCA CCTGTAATCC CAGGTACTCA GGAGGCTGAG ACGGGAGAAT  2341 TGCTTGACCC CAGGCGGAGG AGGTTACAGT GAGTCGAGAT CGTACCTGAG CGACAGAGCG  2401 AGACTCCGTC TCAAAAAAAA AAAAAAGGAG GGTTTATTAA TGAGAAGTTT GGTCGAC 

In some embodiments, the truncated FXN 3′ UTR has the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3.

Exemplary truncated FXN 3′ UTR (SEQ ID NO: 3) AAGAAGGAAAAATTCCAGGAGGGAAAATGAATTGTCTTCACTCTTCATTC TTTGAAGGATTTACTGCAAGAAGTACATGAAGAGCAGCTGGTCAACCTGC TCACTGTTCTATCTCCAAATGAGACACATTAAAGGGTAGCCTACAAATGT TTTCAGGCTTCTTTCAAAGTGTAAGCACTTCTGAGCTCTTTAGCATTGAA GTGTCGAAAGCAACTCACACGGGAAGATCATTTCTTATTTGTGCTCTGTG ACTGCCAAGGTGTGGCCTGCACTGGGTTGTCCAGGGAGACATGCATCTAG TGCTGTTTCTCCCACATATTCACATACGTGTCTGTGTGTATATATATTTT TTCAATTTAAAGGTTAGTATGGAATCAGCTGCTACAAGAATGCAAAAAAT CTTCCAAAGACAAGAAAAGAGGAAAAAAAGCCGTTTTCATGAGCTGAGTG ATGTAGCGTAACAAACAAAATCATGGAGCTGAGGAGGTGCCTTGTAAACA TGAAGGGGCAGATAAAGGAAGGAGATACTCATGTTGATAAAGAGAGCCCT GGTCCTAGACATAGTTCAGCCACAAAGTAGTTGTCCCTTTGTGGACAAGT TTCCCAAATTCCCTGGACCTCTGCTTCCCCATCTGTTAAATGAGAGAATA GAGTATGGTTGATTCCCAGCATTCAGTGGTCCTGTCAAGCAACCTAACAG GCTAGTTCTAATTCCCTATTGGGTAGATGAGGGGATGACAAAGAACAGTT TTTAAGCTATATAGGAAACATTGTTATTGGTGTTGCCCTATCGTGATTTC AGTTGAATTCATGTGAAAATAATAGCCATCCTTGGCCTGGCGCGGTGGCT CACACCTGTAATCCCAGCACTTTTGGAGGCCAAGGTGGGTGGATCACCTG AGGTCAGGAGTTCAAGACCAGCCTGGCCAACATGATGAAACCCCGTCTCT ACTAAAAATACAAAAAATTAGCCGGGCATGATGGCAGGTGCCTGTAATCC CAGCTACTTGGGAGGCTGAAGCGGAAGAATCGCTTGAACCCAGAGGTGGA GGTTGCAGTGAGCCGAGATCGTGCCATTGCACTGTAACCTGGGTGACTGA GCAAAACTCTGTCTCAAAATAATAATAACAATATAATAATAATAATAGCC ATCCTTTATTGTACCCTTACTGGGTTAATCGTATTATACCACATTACCTC ATTTTAATTTTTACTGACCTGCACTTTATACAAAGCAACAAGCCTCCAGG ACATTAAAATTCATGCAAAGTTATGCTCATGTTATATTATTTTCTTACTT AAAGAAGGATTTATTAGTGGCTGGGCATGGTGGCGTGCACCTGTAATCCC AGGTACTCAGGAGGCTGAGACGGGAGAATTGCTTGACCCCAGGCGGAGGA GGTTACAGTGAGTCGAGATCGTACCTGAGCGACAGAGCGAGACTCCGTCT CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGAGGGTTTATTAATGAGAAGTTTG

In some embodiments, the expression construct further contains a nucleic acid segment that encode a polyadenylation signal. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid segment is positioned 3′ to the FXN 3′ UTR in the expression construct.

In some embodiments, the expression construct comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 (or a portion thereof comprising a gene of interest under the control of a promoter of interest, optionally flanked by ITR sequences).

Exemplary expression construct (SEQ ID NO: 4) GATCTTACCCCCTGCCCCCCACAGCTCCTCTCCTGTGCCTTGTTTCCCAG CCATGCGTTCTCCTCTATAAATACCCGCTCTGGTATTTGGGGTTGGCAGC TGTTGCTGCCAGGGAGATGGTTGGGTTGACATGCGGCTCCTGACAAAACA CAAACCCCTGGTGTGTGTGGGCGTGGGTGGTGTGAGTAGGGGGATGAATC AGGGAGGGGGCGGGGGACCCAGGGGGCAGGAGCCACACAAAGTCTGTGCG GGGGTGGGAGCGCACATAGCAATTGGAAACTGAAAGCTTATCAGACCCTT TCTGGAAATCAGCCCACTGTTTATAAACTTGAGGCCCCACCCTCGAGATA ACCAGGGCTGAAAGAGGCCCGCCTGGGGGCTGGAGACATGCTTGCTGCCT GCCCTGGCGAAGGATTGGCAGGCTTGCCCGTCACAGGACCCCCGCTGGCT GACTCAGGGGCGCAGGCCTCTTGCGGGGGAGCTGGCCTCCCCGCCCCCAC GGCCACGGGCCGCCCTTTCCTGGCAGGACAGCGGGATCTTGCAGCTGTCA GGGGAGGGGAGGCGGGGGCTGATGTCAGGAGGGATACAAATAGTGCCGAC GGCTGGGGGCCCTGTCTCCCCTCGCCGCATCCACTCTCCGGCCGGCCGCC TGTCCGCCGCCTCCTCCGTGCGCCCGCCAGCCTCGCCCGCGCCGTCACCG TGAGGCACTGGGCAGGTAAGTATCAAAGTATCAAGGTTACAAGACAGGTT TAAGGAGACCAATAGAAACTGGGCTTGTCGAGACAGAGAAGACTCTTGCG TTTCTGATAGGCACCTATTGGTCTTACTGACATCCACTTTGCCTTTCTCT CCACAGGCTAGCCTCGAGAATTCACGCGTGGTACCTCTAGAGTCGACCGA TATCACTAGTGCCACCATGTGGACACTGGGGAGAAGGGCCGTGGCTGGAC TGCTGGCTTCTCCATCTCCAGCCCAGGCCCAGACCCTGACCAGAGTGCCT AGACCTGCCGAACTGGCCCCTCTGTGTGGCAGAAGAGGCCTGAGAACCGA CATCGACGCCACCTGTACCCCCAGAAGGGCCAGCAGCAATCAGCGGGGCC TGAATCAGATCTGGAACGTGAAGAAACAGAGCGTGTACCTGATGAACCTG AGAAAGAGCGGCACCCTGGGCCACCCTGGAAGCCTGGATGAGACAACCTA CGAGCGGCTGGCCGAGGAAACCCTGGATTCCCTGGCCGAGTTCTTCGAGG ACCTGGCCGACAAGCCCTACACCTTCGAGGATTACGACGTGTCCTTCGGC AGCGGCGTGCTGACAGTGAAGCTGGGCGGAGATCTGGGCACCTACGTGAT CAACAAGCAGACCCCCAACAAACAGATCTGGCTGAGCAGCCCCAGCAGCG GCCCCAAGAGATACGATTGGACCGGCAAGAACTGGGTGTTCAGCCACGAC GGCGTGTCCCTGCATGAGCTGCTGGCTGCCGAGCTGACCAAGGCCCTGAA AACAAAGCTGGACCTGAGCTGGCTGGCCTACAGCGGCAAAGATGCCATCG ATATCCCCAGCCCCGTTTTAAGGACATTAAAAGCTATCAGGCCAAGACCC CAGCTTCATTATGCAGCTGAGGTCTGTTTTTTGTTGTTGTTGTTGTTTAT TTTTTTTATTCCTGCTTTTGAGGACAGTTGGGCTATGTGTCACAGCTCTG TAGAAAGAATGTGTTGCCTCCTACCTTGCCCCCAAGTTCTGATTTTTAAT TTCTATGGAAGATTTTTTGGATTGTCGGATTTCCTCCCTCACATGATACC CCTTATCTTTTATAATGTCTTATGCCTATACCTGAATATAACAACCTTTA AAAAAGCAAAATAATAAGAAGGAAAAATTCCAGGAGGGAAAATGAATTGT CTTCACTCTTCATTCTTTGAAGGATTTACTGCAAGAAGTACATGAAGAGC AGCTGGTCAACCTGCTCACTGTTCTATCTCCAAATGAGACACATTAAAGG GTAGCCTACAAATGTTTTCAGGCTTCTTTCAAAGTGTAAGCACTTCTGAG CTCTTTAGCATTGAAGTGTCGAAAGCAACTCACACGGGAAGATCATTTCT TATTTGTGCTCTGTGACTGCCAAGGTGTGGCCTGCACTGGGTTGTCCAGG GAGACATGCATCTAGTGCTGTTTCTCCCACATATTCACATACGTGTCTGT GTGTATATATATTTTTTCAATTTAAAGGTTAGTATGGAATCAGCTGCTAC AAGAATGCAAAAAATCTTCCAAAGACAAGAAAAGAGGAAAAAAAGCCGTT TTCATGAGCTGAGTGATGTAGCGTAACAAACAAAATCATGGAGCTGAGGA GGTGCCTTGTAAACATGAAGGGGCAGATAAAGGAAGGAGATACTCATGTT GATAAAGAGAGCCCTGGTCCTAGACATAGTTCAGCCACAAAGTAGTTGTC CCTTTGTGGACAAGTTTCCCAAATTCCCTGGACCTCTGCTTCCCCATCTG TTAAATGAGAGAATAGAGTATGGTTGATTCCCAGCATTCAGTGGTCCTGT CAAGCAACCTAACAGGCTAGTTCTAATTCCCTATTGGGTAGATGAGGGGA TGACAAAGAACAGTTTTTAAGCTATATAGGAAACATTGTTATTGGTGTTG CCCTATCGTGATTTCAGTTGAATTCATGTGAAAATAATAGCCATCCTTGG CCTGGCGCGGTGGCTCACACCTGTAATCCCAGCACTTTTGGAGGCCAAGG TGGGTGGATCACCTGAGGTCAGGAGTTCAAGACCAGCCTGGCCAACATGA TGAAACCCCGTCTCTACTAAAAATACAAAAAATTAGCCGGGCATGATGGC AGGTGCCTGTAATCCCAGCTACTTGGGAGGCTGAAGCGGAAGAATCGCTT GAACCCAGAGGTGGAGGTTGCAGTGAGCCGAGATCGTGCCATTGCACTGT AACCTGGGTGACTGAGCAAAACTCTGTCTCAAAATAATAATAACAATATA ATAATAATAATAGCCATCCTTTATIGTACCCITACTGGGTTAATCGTATT ATACCACATTACCTCATTITAATTITTACTGACCTGCACTTTATACAAAG CAACAAGCCTCCAGGACATTAAAATTCATGCAAAGTTATGCTCATGTTAT ATTATTTTCTTACTTAAAGAAGGATTTATTAGTGGCTGGGCATGGTGGCG TGCACCTGTAATCCCAGGTACTCAGGAGGCTGAGACGGGAGAATTGCTTG ACCCCAGGCGGAGGAGGTTACAGTGAGTCGAGATCGTACCTGAGCGACAG AGCGAGACTCCGTCTCAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGAGGGTTTATTAATGAGAA GTTTGGTCGACTAGAGCGGCCGCTTCGAGCAGACATGATAAGATACATTG ATGAGTTTGGACAAACCACAACTAGAATGCAGTGAAAAAAATGCTTTATT TGTGAAATTTGTGATGCTATTGCTTTATTTGTAACCATTATAAGCTGCAA TAAACAAGTTAACAACAACAATTGCATTCATTTTATGTTTCAGGTTCAGG GGGAGATGTGGGAGGTTTTTTAAAGCAAGTAAAACCTCTACAAATGTGGT A

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid is a plasmid. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises or consists of the sequence of SEQ ID NO 5.

Exemplary plasmid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 5) CTGCAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGTTGGCCACTCCCTCTCTGCGCGCTCGCTCGCTCACTGAGGCCGGGCGACCAA AGGTCGCCCGACGCCCGGGCTTTGCCCGGGCGGCCTCAGTGAGCGAGCGAGCGCGCAGAGAGGGAGTGGCCAACT CCATCACTAGGGGTTCCTCAGATCTTACCCCCTGCCCCCCACAGCTCCTCTCCTGTGCCTTGTTTCCCAGCCATG CGTTCTCCTCTATAAATACCCGCTCTGGTATTTGGGGTTGGCAGCTGTTGCTGCCAGGGAGATGGTTGGGTTGAC ATGCGGCTCCTGACAAAACACAAACCCCTGGTGTGTGTGGGCGTGGGTGGTGTGAGTAGGGGGATGAATCAGGGA GGGGGCGGGGGACCCAGGGGGCAGGAGCCACACAAAGTCTGTGCGGGGGTGGGAGCGCACATAGCAATTGGAAAC TGAAAGCTTATCAGACCCTTTCTGGAAATCAGCCCACTGTTTATAAACTTGAGGCCCCACCCTCGAGATAACCAG GGCTGAAAGAGGCCCGCCTGGGGGCTGGAGACATGCTTGCTGCCTGCCCTGGCGAAGGATTGGCAGGCTTGCCCG TCACAGGACCCCCGCTGGCTGACTCAGGGGCGCAGGCCTCTTGCGGGGGAGCTGGCCTCCCCGCCCCCACGGCCA CGGGCCGCCCTTTCCTGGCAGGACAGCGGGATCTTGCAGCTGTCAGGGGAGGGGAGGCGGGGGCTGATGTCAGGA GGGATACAAATAGTGCCGACGGCTGGGGGCCCTGTCTCCCCTCGCCGCATCCACTCTCCGGCCGGCCGCCTGTCC GCCGCCTCCTCCGTGCGCCCGCCAGCCTCGCCCGCGCCGTCACCGTGAGGCACTGGGCAGGTAAGTATCAAAGTA TCAAGGTTACAAGACAGGTTTAAGGAGACCAATAGAAACTGGGCTTGTCGAGACAGAGAAGACTCTTGCGTTTCT GATAGGCACCTATTGGTCTTACTGACATCCACTTTGCCTTTCTCTCCACAGGCTAGCCTCGAGAATTCACGCGTG GTACCTCTAGAGTCGACCGATATCACTAGTGCCACCATGTGGACACTGGGGAGAAGGGCCGTGGCTGGACTGCTG GCTTCTCCATCTCCAGCCCAGGCCCAGACCCTGACCAGAGTGCCTAGACCTGCCGAACTGGCCCCTCTGTGTGGC AGAAGAGGCCTGAGAACCGACATCGACGCCACCTGTACCCCCAGAAGGGCCAGCAGCAATCAGCGGGGCCTGAAT CAGATCTGGAACGTGAAGAAACAGAGCGTGTACCTGATGAACCTGAGAAAGAGCGGCACCCTGGGCCACCCTGGA AGCCTGGATGAGACAACCTACGAGCGGCTGGCCGAGGAAACCCTGGATTCCCTGGCCGAGTTCTTCGAGGACCTG GCCGACAAGCCCTACACCTTCGAGGATTACGACGTGTCCTTCGGCAGCGGCGTGCTGACAGTGAAGCTGGGCGGA GATCTGGGCACCTACGTGATCAACAAGCAGACCCCCAACAAACAGATCTGGCTGAGCAGCCCCAGCAGCGGCCCC AAGAGATACGATTGGACCGGCAAGAACTGGGTGTTCAGCCACGACGGCGTGTCCCTGCATGAGCTGCTGGCTGCC GAGCTGACCAAGGCCCTGAAAACAAAGCTGGACCTGAGCTGGCTGGCCTACAGCGGCAAAGATGCCATCGATATC CCCAGCCCCGTTTTAAGGACATTAAAAGCTATCAGGCCAAGACCCCAGCTTCATTATGCAGCTGAGGTCTGTTTT TTGTTGTTGTTGTTGTTTATTTTTTTTATTCCTGCTTTTGAGGACAGTTGGGCTATGTGTCACAGCTCTGTAGAA AGAATGTGTTGCCTCCTACCTTGCCCCCAAGTTCTGATTTTTAATTTCTATGGAAGATTTTTTGGATTGTCGGAT TTCCTCCCTCACATGATACCCCTTATCTTTTATAATGTCTTATGCCTATACCTGAATATAACAACCTTTAAAAAA GCAAAATAATAAGAAGGAAAAATTCCAGGAGGGAAAATGAATTGTCTTCACTCTTCATTCTTTGAAGGATTTACT GCAAGAAGTACATGAAGAGCAGCTGGTCAACCTGCTCACTGTTCTATCTCCAAATGAGACACATTAAAGGGTAGC CTACAAATGTTTTCAGGCTTCTTTCAAAGTGTAAGCACTTCTGAGCTCTTTAGCATTGAAGTGTCGAAAGCAACT CACACGGGAAGATCATTTCTTATTTGTGCTCTGTGACTGCCAAGGTGTGGCCTGCACTGGGTTGTCCAGGGAGAC ATGCATCTAGTGCTGTTTCTCCCACATATTCACATACGTGTCTGTGTGTATATATATTTTTTCAATTTAAAGGTT AGTATGGAATCAGCTGCTACAAGAATGCAAAAAATCTTCCAAAGACAAGAAAAGAGGAAAAAAAGCCGTTTTCAT GAGCTGAGTGATGTAGCGTAACAAACAAAATCATGGAGCTGAGGAGGTGCCTTGTAAACATGAAGGGGCAGATAA AGGAAGGAGATACTCATGTTGATAAAGAGAGCCCTGGTCCTAGACATAGTTCAGCCACAAAGTAGTTGTCCCTTT GTGGACAAGTTTCCCAAATTCCCTGGACCTCTGCTTCCCCATCTGTTAAATGAGAGAATAGAGTATGGTTGATTC CCAGCATTCAGTGGTCCTGTCAAGCAACCTAACAGGCTAGTTCTAATTCCCTATTGGGTAGATGAGGGGATGACA AAGAACAGTTTTTAAGCTATATAGGAAACATTGTTATTGGTGTTGCCCTATCGTGATTTCAGTTGAATTCATGTG AAAATAATAGCCATCCTTGGCCTGGCGCGGTGGCTCACACCTGTAATCCCAGCACTTTTGGAGGCCAAGGTGGGT GGATCACCTGAGGTCAGGAGTTCAAGACCAGCCTGGCCAACATGATGAAACCCCGTCTCTACTAAAAATACAAAA AATTAGCCGGGCATGATGGCAGGTGCCTGTAATCCCAGCTACTTGGGAGGCTGAAGCGGAAGAATCGCTTGAACC CAGAGGTGGAGGTTGCAGTGAGCCGAGATCGTGCCATTGCACTGTAACCTGGGTGACTGAGCAAAACTCTGTCTC AAAATAATAATAACAATATAATAATAATAATAGCCATCCTTTATTGTACCCTTACTGGGTTAATCGTATTATACC ACATTACCTCATTTTAATTTTTACTGACCTGCACTTTATACAAAGCAACAAGCCTCCAGGACATTAAAATTCATG CAAAGTTATGCTCATGTTATATTATTTTCTTACTTAAAGAAGGATTTATTAGTGGCTGGGCATGGTGGCGTGCAC CTGTAATCCCAGGTACTCAGGAGGCTGAGACGGGAGAATTGCTTGACCCCAGGCGGAGGAGGTTACAGTGAGTCG AGATCGTACCTGAGCGACAGAGCGAGACTCCGTCTCAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGAGGGTTTATTAATGAGAAGTTTG GTCGACTAGAGCGGCCGCTTCGAGCAGACATGATAAGATACATTGATGAGTTTGGACAAACCACAACTAGAATGC AGTGAAAAAAATGCTTTATTTGTGAAATTTGTGATGCTATTGCTTTATTTGTAACCATTATAAGCTGCAATAAAC AAGTTAACAACAACAATTGCATTCATTTTATGTTTCAGGTTCAGGGGGAGATGTGGGAGGTTTTTTAAAGCAAGT AAAACCTCTACAAATGTGGTAAAATCGATAAGGATCTAGGAACCCCTAGTGATGGAGTTGGCCACTCCCTCTCTG CGCGCTCGCTCGCTCACTGAGGCCGCCCGGGCAAAGCCCGGGCGTCGGGCGACCTTTGGTCGCCCGGCCTCAGTG AGCGAGCGAGCGCGCAGAGAGGGAGTGGCCAACCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCTGCAGCCTGGCGTAATAGCGAAGAG GCCCGCACCGATCGCCCTTCCCAACAGTTGCGTAGCCTGAATGGCGAATGGCGCGACGCGCCCTGTAGCGGCGCA TTAAGCGCGGCGGGTGTGGTGGTTACGCGCAGCGTGACCGCTACACTTGCCAGCGCCCTAGCGCCCGCTCCTTTC GCTTTCTTCCCTTCCTTTCTCGCCACGTTCGCCGGCTTTCCCCGTCAAGCTCTAAATCGGGGGCTCCCTTTAGGG TTCCGATTTAGTGCTTTACGGCACCTCGACCCCAAAAAACTTGATTAGGGTGATGGTTCACGTAGTGGGCCATCG CCCTGATAGACGGTTTTTCGCCCTTTGACGTTGGAGTCCACGTTCTTTAATAGTGGACTCTTGTTCCAAACTGGA ACAACACTCAACCCTATCTCGGTCTATTCTTTTGATTTATAAGGGATTTTGCCGATTTCGGCCTATTGGTTAAAA AATGAGCTGATTTAACAAAAATTTAACGCGAATTTTAACAAAATATTAACGTTTACAATTTCCTGATGCGGTATT TTCTCCTTACGCATCTGTGCGGTATTTCACACCGCATATGGTGCACTCTCAGTACAATCTGCTCTGATGCCGCAT AGTTAAGCCAGCCCCGACACCCGCCAACACCCGCTGACGCGCCCTGACGGGCTTGTCTGCTCCCGGCATCCGCTT ACAGACAAGCTGTGACCGTCTCCGGGAGCTGCATGTGTCAGAGGTTTTCACCGTCATCACCGAAACGCGCGAGAC GAAAGGGCCTCGTGATACGCCTATTTTTATAGGTTAATGTCATGATAATAATGGTTTCTTAGACGTCAGGTGGCA CTTTTCGGGGAAATGTGCGCGGAACCCCTATTTGTTTATTTTTCTAAATACATTCAAATATGTATCCGCTCATGA GACAATAACCCTGATAAATGCTTCAATAATATTGAAAAAGGAAGAGTATGAGTATTCAACATTTCCGTGTCGCCC TTATTCCCTTTTTTGCGGCATTTTGCCTTCCTGTTTTTGCTCACCCAGAAACGCTGGTGAAAGTAAAAGATGCTG AAGATCAGTTGGGTGCACGAGTGGGTTACATCGAACTGGATCTCAACAGCGGTAAGATCCTTGAGAGTTTTCGCC CCGAAGAACGTTTTCCAATGATGAGCACTTTTAAAGTTCTGCTATGTGGCGCGGTATTATCCCGTATTGACGCCG GGCAAGAGCAACTCGGTCGCCGCATACACTATTCTCAGAATGACTTGGTTGAGTACTCACCAGTCACAGAAAAGC ATCTTACGGATGGCATGACAGTAAGAGAATTATGCAGTGCTGCCATAACCATGAGTGATAACACTGCGGCCAACT TACTTCTGACAACGATCGGAGGACCGAAGGAGCTAACCGCTTTTTTGCACAACATGGGGGATCATGTAACTCGCC TTGATCGTTGGGAACCGGAGCTGAATGAAGCCATACCAAACGACGAGCGTGACACCACGATGCCTGTAGCAATGG CAACAACGTTGCGCAAACTATTAACTGGCGAACTACTTACTCTAGCTTCCCGGCAACAATTAATAGACTGGATGG AGGCGGATAAAGTTGCAGGACCACTTCTGCGCTCGGCCCTTCCGGCTGGCTGGTTTATTGCTGATAAATCTGGAG CCGGTGAGCGTGGGTCTCGCGGTATCATTGCAGCACTGGGGCCAGATGGTAAGCCCTCCCGTATCGTAGTTATCT ACACGACGGGGAGTCAGGCAACTATGGATGAACGAAATAGACAGATCGCTGAGATAGGTGCCTCACTGATTAAGC ATTGGTAACTGTCAGACCAAGTTTACTCATATATACTTTAGATTGATTTAAAACTTCATTTTTAATTTAAAAGGA TCTAGGTGAAGATCCTTTTTGATAATCTCATGACCAAAATCCCTTAACGTGAGTTTTCGTTCCACTGAGCGTCAG ACCCCGTAGAAAAGATCAAAGGATCTTCTTGAGATCCTTTTTTTCTGCGCGTAATCTGCTGCTTGCAAACAAAAA AACCACCGCTACCAGCGGTGGTTTGTTTGCCGGATCAAGAGCTACCAACTCTTTTTCCGAAGGTAACTGGCTTCA GCAGAGCGCAGATACCAAATACTGTCCTTCTAGTGTAGCCGTAGTTAGGCCACCACTTCAAGAACTCTGTAGCAC CGCCTACATACCTCGCTCTGCTAATCCTGTTACCAGTGGCTGCTGCCAGTGGCGATAAGTCGTGTCTTACCGGGT TGGACTCAAGACGATAGTTACCGGATAAGGCGCAGCGGTCGGGCTGAACGGGGGGTTCGTGCACACAGCCCAGCT TGGAGCGAACGACCTACACCGAACTGAGATACCTACAGCGTGAGCATTGAGAAAGCGCCACGCTTCCCGAAGGGA GAAAGGCGGACAGGTATCCGGTAAGCGGCAGGGTCGGAACAGGAGAGCGCACGAGGGAGCTTCCAGGGGGAAACG CCTGGTATCTTTATAGTCCTGTCGGGTTTCGCCACCTCTGACTTGAGCGTCGATTTTTGTGATGCTCGTCAGGGG GGCGGAGCCTATGGAAAAACGCCAGCAACGCGGCCTTTTTACGGTTCCTGGCCTTTTGCTGGCCTTTTGCTCACA TGTTCTTTCCTGCGTTATCCCCTGATTCTGTGGATAACCGTATTACCGCCTTTGAGTGAGCTGATACCGCTCGCC GCAGCCGAACGACCGAGCGCAGCGAGTCAGTGAGCGAGGAAGCGGAAGAGCGCCCAATACGCAAACCGCCTCTCC CCGCGCGTTGGCCGATTCATTAATGCAGGG

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid is a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector. Exemplary rAAV nucleic acid vectors useful according to the disclosure include single-stranded (ss) or self-complementary (sc) AAV nucleic acid vectors.

In some embodiments, a recombinant rAAV particle comprises (or packages) a nucleic acid vector that comprises an expression construct, such as a single-stranded (ss) or self-complementary (sc) AAV nucleic acid vector. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid vector comprises an expression construct comprising FXN coding sequence (e.g., a human FXN coding sequence) and a truncated FXN 3′ UTR (e.g., a truncated human FXN 3′ UTR) operably linked to a promoter (e.g., a Desmin promoter, a CBA promoter, a hFXNPro, or other promoter) and is flanked by regions comprising inverted terminal repeat (ITR) sequences (e.g., wild-type ITR sequences or engineered ITR sequences). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid is encapsidated by a viral capsid.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, a rAAV particle comprises a viral capsid and a nucleic acid vector as described herein, which is encapsidated by the viral capsid. In some embodiments, the viral capsid comprises 60 capsid protein subunits comprising VP1, VP2 and VP3. In some embodiments, the VP1, VP2, and VP3 subunits are present in the capsid at a ratio of approximately 1:1:10, respectively.

The ITR sequences of a nucleic acid or nucleic acid vector described herein can be derived from any AAV serotype (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11,12, or 13) or can be derived from more than one serotype. In some embodiments of the nucleic acid or nucleic acid vector provided herein, the ITR sequences are derived from AAV2. ITR sequences and plasmids containing ITR sequences are known in the art and commercially available (see, e.g., products and services available from Vector Biolabs, Philadelphia, Pa.; Cellbiolabs, San Diego, Calif.; Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, Calif.; and Addgene, Cambridge, Mass.; and Gene delivery to skeletal muscle results in sustained expression and systemic delivery of a therapeutic protein. Kessler P D, Podsakoff G M, Chen X, McQuiston S A, Colosi P C, Matelis L A, Kurtzman G J, Byrne B J. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1996 Nov. 26; 93(24):14082-7; and Curtis A. Machida. Methods in Molecular Medicine™. Viral Vectors for Gene Therapy Methods and Protocols. 10.1385/1-59259-304-6:201© Humana Press Inc. 2003. Chapter 10. Targeted Integration by Adeno-Associated Virus. Matthew D. Weitzman, Samuel M. Young Jr., Toni Cathomen and Richard Jude Samulski; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,139,941 and 5,962,313, all of which are incorporated herein by reference).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid or nucleic acid vector comprises a pTR-UF-11 plasmid backbone, which is a plasmid that contains AAV2 ITRs, or a nucleic acid region of the pTR-UF-11 plasmid that comprises the ITRs. This plasmid is commercially available from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC MBA-331). One or more genes of interest (for example encoding a therapeutic protein) under the control of a promoter of interest (for example a Desmin promoter or derivative thereof described in this application) can be inserted in between the ITRs in one these or other plasmids containing AAV ITRs. These can be used as described in this application to produce a rAAV particle encapsidating a rAAV nucleic acid comprising ITRs flanking a gene of interest under the control of a promoter of interest.

Genebank reference numbers for sequences of AAV serotypes 1, 2, 3, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 are listed in patent publication WO2012064960, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In some embodiments, the expression construct is no more than 7 kilobases, no more than 6 kilobases, no more than 5 kilobases, no more than 4 kilobases, or no more than 3 kilobases in size. In some embodiments, the expression construct is between 4 and 7 kilobases in size.

In some embodiments, the expression construct comprises one or more regions comprising a sequence that facilitates expression of the FXN coding sequence, e.g., expression control sequences operably linked to the FXN coding sequence. Non-limiting examples of expression control sequences include promoters, insulators, silencers, response elements, introns, enhancers, initiation sites, termination signals, and poly(A) tails. Any combination of such control sequences is contemplated herein (e.g., a promoter and an enhancer). In some embodiments, the promoter is a Desmin promoter as described herein. In some embodiments, the expression construct contains a splice donor/acceptor site, such as between the promoter and the FXN coding sequence.

To achieve appropriate expression levels of FXN, any of a number of promoters suitable for use in the selected host cell may be employed. The promoter may be, for example, a constitutive promoter, tissue-specific promoter, inducible promoter, or a synthetic promoter.

For example, constitutive promoters of different strengths can be used. A nucleic acid vector described herein may include one or more constitutive promoters, such as viral promoters or promoters from mammalian genes that are generally active in promoting transcription. Non-limiting examples of constitutive viral promoters include the Herpes Simplex virus (HSV), thymidine kinase (TK), Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV), Simian Virus 40 (SV40), Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus (MMTV), Ad E1A and cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoters. Non-limiting examples of constitutive mammalian promoters include various housekeeping gene promoters, as exemplified by the β-actin promoter (e.g., chicken β-actin promoter) and human elongation factor-1α (EF-1α) promoter.

Inducible promoters and/or regulatory elements may also be contemplated for achieving appropriate expression levels of FXN. Non-limiting examples of suitable inducible promoters include those from genes such as cytochrome P450 genes, heat shock protein genes, metallothionein genes, and hormone-inducible genes, such as the estrogen gene promoter. Another example of an inducible promoter is the tetVP16 promoter that is responsive to tetracycline.

Tissue-specific promoters and/or regulatory elements are also contemplated herein. Non-limiting examples of such promoters that may be used include hematopoietic stem cell-specific promoters.

Synthetic promoters are also contemplated herein. A synthetic promoter may comprise, for example, regions of known promoters, regulatory elements, transcription factor binding sites, enhancer elements, repressor elements, and the like.

Although the use of AAV has advanced in recent years, gene transfer still faces some obstacles. For example, tissue specific targeting to deliver the gene to affected organs or to avoid toxicity remains a challenge. High levels of over-expression driven by a strong promoter can lead to toxicity in vitro. In this context, organ specificity of different promoters can be taken advantage of to achieve sufficient gene delivery to target organs while avoiding complications related to administration of high doses. In some embodiments, identification of the most efficient and safe promoter element for the transcriptional control of the FXN transgene can be used to correct FXN deficiency in the heart, CNS and in the pancreatic islet cells. Thus, in some embodiments, the promoter in the disclosed nucleic acid is a human Desmin promoter or a derivative thereof. The Desmin promoter is a tissue-restricted promoter for cardiac muscle and neurons. The Desmin promoter element is a derivative of the Desmin gene control element, which contains additional transcriptional control elements to augment expression. In some embodiments, the promoter in the disclosed nucleic acid is the chicken β-actin (CBA) promoter. In some embodiments, the CBA promoter is a constitutive element made up of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate early enhancer element, the beta-actin promoter and globin intron. In some embodiments, the CBA promoter allows targeting of muscle, neurons and the pancreas for FXN transgene delivery. In some embodiments, the promoter in the disclosed nucleic acid is the endogenous frataxin promoter (FxP), hFXNPro, which has been mapped to encompass a 1 kb region 5′ to the frataxin transcriptional start site. In some embodiments, the promoter in the disclosed nucleic acid is the endogenous frataxin promoter (FxP), hFXNPro, which has been mapped to encompass a 1.220 kb region 5′ to the frataxin transcriptional start site. In some embodiments, no remote enhancer elements are required, and all the necessary transcriptional control and tissue restricted activity are conferred by the frataxin promoter. However, additional regulatory sequences can be used in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the CBA promoter and the hFXNPro allow targeting of the pancreatic islet cells for FXN gene delivery. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid is a plasmid (e.g., a circular nucleic acid comprising one or more of an origin of replication, a selectable marker, and a reporter gene). In some embodiments, a nucleic acid described herein, such as a plasmid, may also contain marker or reporter genes, e.g., LacZ or a fluorescent protein, and an origin of replication. In some embodiments, the plasmid is transfected into a producer cell that produces AAV particles containing the expression construct (e.g., the expression construct that was included in the plasmid that was used to produce the nucleic acid that was encapsidated by the rAAV particles).

The rAAV particle may be of any AAV serotype (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, or 13), including any derivative (including non-naturally occurring variants of a serotype) or pseudotype. In some embodiments, the rAAV particle is an AAV9 particle, which may be pseudotyped with AAV2 ITRs. Non-limiting examples of derivatives and pseudotypes include AAV2-AAV3 hybrid, AAVrh.10, AAVhu.14, AAV3a/3b, AAVrh32.33, AAV-HSC15, AAV-HSC17, AAVhu.37, AAVrh.8, CHt-P6, AAV2.5, AAV6.2, AAV2i8, AAV-HSC15/17, AAVM41, AAV9.45, AAV6(Y445F/Y731F), AAV2.5T, AAV-HAE1/2, AAV clone 32/83, AAVShH10, AAV2 (Y->F), AAV8 (Y733F), AAV2.15, AAV2.4, AAVM41, and AAVr3.45. Such AAV serotypes and derivatives/pseudotypes, and methods of producing such derivatives/pseudotypes are known in the art (see, e.g., Mol Ther. 2012 April; 20(4):699-708. doi: 10.1038/mt.2011.287. Epub 2012 Jan. 24. The AAV vector toolkit: poised at the clinical crossroads. Asokan A1, Schaffer D V, Samulski R J.). In some embodiments, the rAAV particle is a pseudotyped rAAV particle, which comprises (a) a nucleic acid vector comprising ITRs from one serotype (e.g., AAV2) and (b) a capsid comprised of capsid proteins derived from another serotype (e.g., AAV1, AAV3, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV7, AAV8, AAV9, or AAV10). Methods for producing and using pseudotyped rAAV vectors are known in the art (see, e.g., Duan et al., J. Virol., 75:7662-7671, 2001; Halbert et al., J. Virol., 74:1524-1532, 2000; Zolotukhin et al., Methods, 28:158-167, 2002; and Auricchio et al., Hum. Molec. Genet., 10:3075-3081, 2001).

Methods of producing rAAV particles and nucleic acid vectors are also known in the art and commercially available (see, e.g., Zolotukhin et al., Production and purification of serotype 1, 2, and 5 recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors. Methods 28 (2002) 158-167; and U.S. Patent Publication Numbers US20070015238 and US20120322861, which are incorporated herein by reference; and plasmids and kits available from ATCC and Cell Biolabs, Inc.). For example, the nucleic acid vector (e.g., as a plasmid) may be combined with one or more helper plasmids, e.g., that contain a rep gene (e.g., encoding Rep78, Rep68, Rep52 and Rep40) and a cap gene (encoding VP1, VP2, and VP3), and transfected into a producer cell line such that the rAAV particle can be packaged and subsequently purified.

In some embodiments, the packaging is performed in a helper cell or producer cell, such as a mammalian cell or an insect cell. Exemplary mammalian cells include, but are not limited to, HEK293 cells, COS cells, HeLa cells, BHK cells, or CHO cells (see, e.g., ATCC® CRL-1573™, ATCC® CRL-1651™, ATCC® CRL-1650™, ATCC® CCL-2, ATCC® CCL-10™, or ATCC® CCL-61™). Exemplary insect cells include, but are not limited to Sf9 cells (see, e.g., ATCC® CRL-1711™). The helper cell may comprises rep and/or cap genes that encode the Rep protein and/or Cap proteins for use in a method described herein. In some embodiments, the packaging is performed in vitro.

In some embodiments, the one or more helper plasmids includes a first helper plasmid comprising a rep gene and a cap gene and a second helper plasmid comprising other genes that assist in AAV production, such as a E1a gene, a E1b gene, a E4 gene, a E2a gene, and a VA gene. In some embodiments, the rep gene is a rep gene derived from AAV2 and the cap gene is derived from AAV5. Helper plasmids, and methods of making such plasmids, are known in the art and commercially available (see, e.g., pDF6, pRep, pDM, pDG, pDP1rs, pDP2rs, pDP3rs, pDP4rs, pDP5rs, pDP6rs, pDG(R484E/R585E), and pDP8.ape plasmids from PlasmidFactory, Bielefeld, Germany; other products and services available from Vector Biolabs, Philadelphia, Pa.; Cellbiolabs, San Diego, Calif.; Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, Calif.; and Addgene, Cambridge, Mass.; pxx6; Grimm et al. (1998), Novel Tools for Production and Purification of Recombinant Adenoassociated Virus Vectors, Human Gene Therapy, Vol. 9, 2745-2760; Kern, A. et al. (2003), Identification of a Heparin-Binding Motif on Adeno-Associated Virus Type 2 Capsids, Journal of Virology, Vol. 77, 11072-11081; Grimm et al. (2003), Helper Virus-Free, Optically Controllable, and Two-Plasmid-Based Production of Adeno-associated Virus Vectors of Serotypes 1 to 6, Molecular Therapy, Vol. 7, 839-850; Kronenberg et al. (2005), A Conformational Change in the Adeno-Associated Virus Type 2 Capsid Leads to the Exposure of Hidden VP1 N Termini, Journal of Virology, Vol. 79, 5296-5303; and Moullier, P. and Snyder, R. O. (2008), International efforts for recombinant adenoassociated viral vector reference standards, Molecular Therapy, Vol. 16, 1185-1188).

An exemplary, non-limiting, rAAV particle production method is described next. One or more helper plasmids are produced or obtained, which comprise rep and cap ORFs for the desired AAV serotype and the adenoviral VA, E2A (DBP), and E4 genes under the transcriptional control of their native promoters. HEK293 cells (available from ATCC®) are transfected via CaPO₄-mediated transfection, lipids or polymeric molecules such as Polyethylenimine (PEI) with the helper plasmid(s) and a plasmid containing a nucleic acid vector described herein. Alternatively, in another example, Sf9-based producer stable cell lines are infected with a single recombinant baculovirus containing the nucleic acid vector. As a further alternative, in another example HEK293 or BHK cell lines are infected with a HSV containing the nucleic acid vector and optionally one or more helper HSVs containing rep and cap ORFs as described herein and the adenoviral VA, E2A (DBP), and E4 genes under the transcriptional control of their native promoters. The HEK293, BHK, or Sf9 cells are then incubated for at least 60 hours to allow for rAAV particle production. The rAAV particles can then be purified using any method known the art or described herein, e.g., by iodixanol step gradient, CsCl gradient, chromatography, or polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation.

The disclosure also contemplates host cells that comprise at least one of the disclosed rAAV particles, expression constructs, or nucleic acid vectors. Such host cells include mammalian host cells, with human host cells being preferred, and may be either isolated, in cell or tissue culture. In the case of genetically modified animal models (e.g., a mouse), the transformed host cells may be comprised within the body of a non-human animal itself.

Compositions

Aspects of the disclosure relate to compositions comprising rAAV particles or nucleic acids described herein. In some embodiments, rAAV particles described herein are added to a composition, e.g., a pharmaceutical composition.

In some embodiments, the composition comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The term “carrier” refers to a diluent, adjuvant, excipient, or vehicle with which the rAAV particle is administered. Such pharmaceutical carriers can be sterile liquids, such as water and oils, including those of petroleum oil such as mineral oil, vegetable oil such as peanut oil, soybean oil, and sesame oil, animal oil, or oil of synthetic origin. Saline solutions and aqueous dextrose and glycerol solutions can also be employed as liquid carriers. Non-limiting examples of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include lactose, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, starches, gum acacia, calcium phosphate, alginates, tragacanth, gelatin, calcium silicate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulose, water, saline, syrup, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, polyacrylic acids, lubricating agents (such as talc, magnesium stearate, and mineral oil), wetting agents, emulsifying agents, suspending agents, preserving agents (such as methyl-, ethyl-, and propyl-hydroxy-benzoates), and pH adjusting agents (such as inorganic and organic acids and bases). Other examples of carriers include phosphate buffered saline, HEPES-buffered saline, and water for injection, any of which may be optionally combined with one or more of calcium chloride dihydrate, disodium phosphate anhydrous, magnesium chloride hexahydrate, potassium chloride, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride, or sucrose. Other examples of carriers that might be used include saline (e.g., sterilized, pyrogen-free saline), saline buffers (e.g., citrate buffer, phosphate buffer, acetate buffer, and bicarbonate buffer), amino acids, urea, alcohols, ascorbic acid, phospholipids, proteins (for example, serum albumin), EDTA, sodium chloride, liposomes, mannitol, sorbitol, and glycerol. USP grade carriers and excipients are particularly useful for delivery of rAAV particles to human subjects. Such compositions may further optionally comprise a liposome, a lipid, a lipid complex, a microsphere, a microparticle, a nanosphere, or a nanoparticle, or may be otherwise formulated for administration to the cells, tissues, organs, or body of a subject in need thereof. Methods for making such compositions are well known and can be found in, for example, Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 22^(nd) edition, Pharmaceutical Press, 2012.

Typically, such compositions may contain at least about 0.1% of the therapeutic agent (e.g., rAAV particle) or more, although the percentage of the active ingredient(s) may, of course, be varied and may conveniently be between about 1 or 2% and about 70% or 80% or more of the weight or volume of the total formulation. Naturally, the amount of therapeutic agent(s) (e.g., rAAV particle) in each therapeutically-useful composition may be prepared is such a way that a suitable dosage will be obtained in any given unit dose of the compound. Factors such as solubility, bioavailability, biological half-life, route of administration, product shelf life, as well as other pharmacological considerations will be contemplated by one skilled in the art of preparing such pharmaceutical formulations, and as such, a variety of dosages and treatment regimens may be desirable.

In some embodiments, a composition described herein may be administered to a subject in need thereof, such as a subject having Friedreich's ataxia. In some embodiments, a method described herein may comprise administering a composition comprising rAAV particles as described herein to a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the subject is a human subject. In some embodiments, the subject has or is suspected of having a disease that may be treated with gene therapy, such as Friedreich's ataxia.

Methods

Aspects of the disclosure relate to treatment of Friedreich's ataxia. In some embodiments, the method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of an rAAV particle or a composition as described herein to a subject having Friedreich's ataxia.

To “treat” a disease as the term is used herein, means to reduce the frequency or severity of at least one sign or symptom of a disease or disorder experienced by a subject. The compositions described above or elsewhere herein are typically administered to a subject in an effective amount, that is, an amount capable of producing a desirable result. The desirable result will depend upon the active agent being administered. For example, an effective amount of rAAV particles may be an amount of the particles that are capable of transferring an expression construct to a host organ, tissue, or cell. A therapeutically acceptable amount may be an amount that is capable of treating a disease, e.g., Friedreich's ataxia. As is well known in the medical and veterinary arts, dosage for any one subject depends on many factors, including the subject's size, body surface area, age, the particular composition to be administered, the active ingredient(s) in the composition, time and route of administration, general health, and other drugs being administered concurrently.

The rAAV particle or nucleic acid vector may be delivered in the form of a composition, such as a composition comprising the active ingredient, such as a rAAV particle described herein, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier as described herein. The rAAV particles or nucleic acid vectors may be prepared in a variety of compositions, and may also be formulated in appropriate pharmaceutical vehicles for administration to human or animal subjects.

In some embodiments, the number of rAAV particles administered to a subject may be on the order ranging from 10⁶ to 10¹⁴ particles/ml or 10³ to 10¹⁵ particles/ml, or any values therebetween for either range, such as for example, about 10⁶, 10⁷, 10⁸, 10⁹, 10¹⁰, 10¹¹, 10¹², 10¹³, or 10¹⁴ particles/ml. In one embodiment, rAAV particles of higher than 10¹³ particles/ml are be administered. In some embodiments, the number of rAAV particles administered to a subject may be on the order ranging from 10⁶ to 10¹⁴ vector genomes(vgs)/ml or 10³ to 10¹⁵ vgs/ml, or any values therebetween for either range, such as for example, about 10⁶, 10⁷, 10⁸, 10⁹, 10¹⁰, 10¹¹, 10¹², 10¹³, or 10¹⁴ vgs/ml. In one embodiment, rAAV particles of higher than 10¹³ vgs/ml are be administered. The rAAV particles can be administered as a single dose, or divided into two or more administrations as may be required to achieve therapy of the particular disease or disorder being treated. In some embodiments, 0.0001 ml to 10 mls are delivered to a subject. In some embodiments, the number of rAAV particles administered to a subject may be on the order ranging from 10⁶-10¹⁴ vg/kg, or any values therebetween, such as for example, about 10⁶, 10⁷, 10⁸, 10⁹, 10¹⁰, 10¹¹, 10¹², 10¹³, or 10¹⁴ vgs/mg. In some embodiments, the number of rAAV particles administered to a subject may be on the order ranging from 10¹²-10¹⁴ vgs/kg.

If desired, rAAV particles may be administered in combination with other agents as well, such as, e.g., proteins or polypeptides or various pharmaceutically-active agents, including one or more systemic or topical administrations of therapeutic polypeptides, biologically active fragments, or variants thereof. In fact, there is virtually no limit to other components that may also be included, given that the additional agents do not cause a significant adverse effect upon contact with the target cells or host tissues. The rAAV particles may thus be delivered along with various other agents as required in the particular instance. Such compositions may be purified from host cells or other biological sources, or alternatively may be chemically synthesized.

In certain circumstances it will be desirable to deliver the rAAV particles in suitably formulated pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein either subcutaneously, intraocularly, intravitreally, subretinally, parenterally, intravenously (IV), intracerebro-ventricularly, intramuscularly, intrathecally (IT), intracisternally, orally, intraperitoneally, by oral or nasal inhalation, or by direct injection to one or more cells, tissues, or organs by direct injection. In some embodiments, the administration is a route suitable for systemic delivery, such as by intravenous injection. In some embodiments, “administering” or “administration” means providing a material to a subject in a manner that is pharmacologically useful.

To address the systemic manifestations of FRDA, approaches to transfer AAV vectors globally that target both the neurological and cardiac impairment may be needed. Although IV dosing is an advantageous route to transduce the heart, it does not have high translational feasibility for CNS disorders because of the high dose requirement, high distribution to peripheral tissues and reduced efficiency for CNS transduction (Schuster, D. et al., Front Neuronat., 8:42, 2014). However, intrathecal (IT) dosing of AAV9 (e.g., via lumbar cistern or cisterna magna) is a viable, clinically relevant option for global CNS gene delivery (Gray, S. et al., Gene Ther, 20(4):450-9, 2013; Federici, T. et al., Gene Ther, 19(8):852, 2012; Snyder, B. et al., Hum Gene Ther, 22(9):1129, 2011). A method of treating subjects with FRDA using a combination of different routes of administration (e.g., IV and IT), by transduction of cardiac muscle, pancreas (e.g., pancreatic islet cells), and CNS (e.g., dorsal root ganglia, and the cerebellum) is contemplated herein. Thus, in some embodiments, rAAV particles or compositions comprising rAAV particles that comprise (or package) FXN transgene are administered via intravenous (IV) injection. In some embodiments, rAAV particles or compositions comprising rAAV particles that comprise (or package) FXN transgene are administered via intrathecal (IT) injection. In some embodiments, rAAV particles or compositions comprising rAAV particles that comprise (or package) FXN transgene are administered via intracisternal injection, so as to deliver the rAAV particles within a cistern of the brain. In some embodiments, rAAV particles or compositions comprising rAAV particles that package FXN transgene are administered via both an intravenous injection and an intrathecal injection, or via an intravenous injection and an intracisternal injection.

In some embodiments, more than two (e.g., three, or four) of the above described routes of administration are utilized.

In some embodiments, the ratio of rAAV particles administered to the subject via intravenous injection to rAAV particles administered to the subject via intrathecal injection is in the range of 10:1 to 1:10 (e.g., 10:1, 8:1, 5:1, 4:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:5, 1:8, 1:10), or 50:1 to 1:50 (e.g., 50:1, 40:1, 25:1, 30:1, 10:1, 1:1, 1:10, 1:30, 1:25, 1:40, 1:50), or 100:1 to 1:100 (e.g., 100:1, 80:1, 50:1, 10:1, 1:1, 1:10, 1:50, 1:80, 1:100), or 1000:1 to 1:1000 (e.g., 1000:1, 800:1, 500:1, 100:1, 1:1, 1:100, 1:500, 1:800, 1:1000). In some embodiments, the ratio of rAAV particles administered to the subject via intravenous injection to rAAV particles administered to the subject via intracisternal injection is in the range of 10:1 to 1:10 (e.g., 10:1, 8:1, 5:1, 4:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:5, 1:8, 1:10), or 50:1 to 1:50 (e.g., 50:1, 40:1, 25:1, 30:1, 10:1, 1:1, 1:10, 1:30, 1:25, 1:40, 1:50), or 100:1 to 1:100 (e.g., 100:1, 80:1, 50:1, 10:1, 1:1, 1:10, 1:50, 1:80, 1:100), or 1000:1 to 1:1000 (e.g., 1000:1, 800:1, 500:1, 100:1, 1:1, 1:100, 1:500, 1:800, 1:1000). In some embodiments, the ratio of rAAV particles administered to the subject via intravenous injection to rAAV particles administered to the subject via intrathecal injection is 1:10. In some embodiments, the ratio of rAAV particles administered to the subject via intravenous injection to rAAV particles administered to the subject via intracisternal injection is 1:10. In some embodiments, compositions administered via intravenous, intrathecal, and/or intracisternal injection may have the same number of particles or viral genomes per unit volume. However, in some embodiments compositions having different titers may be used for different routes of administration. Also, different compositions having different components in addition to the viral particles may be used for different routes of administration.

The amount of rAAV particle or nucleic acid vector compositions and time of administration of such compositions will be within the purview of the skilled artisan having benefit of the present teachings. It is likely, however, that the administration of therapeutically-effective amounts of the disclosed compositions may be achieved by a single administration, such as for example, a single injection of sufficient numbers of infectious particles to provide therapeutic benefit to the patient undergoing such treatment. Alternatively, in some circumstances, it may be desirable to provide multiple, or successive administrations of the rAAV particle compositions, either over a relatively short, or a relatively prolonged period of time, as may be determined by the medical practitioner overseeing the administration of such compositions.

In some embodiments, when more than one route of administration is utilized, the administration of rAAV comprising FXN transgene via the two or more routes is performed simultaneously, or within 10 min of each other. In some embodiments, when more than one route of administration is utilized, the administration of rAAV comprising FXN transgene via the two or more routes is staggered, so that administration via the second route is performed 10 min, 20 min, 30 min 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, 4 h, 5 h, 6 h, 8 h, 12 h, 18 h, or 24 h after the administration via the first route. In some embodiments, when more than one route of administration is utilized, the administration of rAAV comprising FXN transgene via the two or more routes is altered, so that administration via the second route replaces administration via the first route on a routine basis (e.g., for once a day schedule, administration via first route on day 1, administration via second route on day 2, administration via first route on day 3, administration via second route on day 4, and so on).

In some embodiments, the number of rAAV particles administered to a subject may be on the order ranging from 10⁶ to 10¹⁴ particles/mL or 10³ to 10¹³ particles/mL, or any values therebetween for either range, such as for example, about 10⁶, 10⁷, 10⁸, 10⁹, 10¹⁰, 10¹¹, 10¹², 10¹³, or 10¹⁴ particles/mL. In some embodiments, rAAV particle compositions of lower than 10⁷ particles/mL, for example lower than 10³ particles/mL, are administered. In some embodiments, rAAV particle compositions of higher than 10¹³ particles/mL, for example higher than 10¹⁵ particles/mL, are administered. In some embodiments, the number of rAAV particles administered to a subject may be on the order ranging from 10⁶ to 10¹⁴ vector genomes(vgs)/mL or 10³ to 10¹⁵ vgs/mL, or any values there between for either range, such as for example, about 10⁶, 10⁷, 10⁸, 10⁹, 10¹⁰, 10¹¹, 10¹², 10¹³, or 10¹⁴ vgs/mL. In some embodiments, rAAV particle compositions of lower than 10⁷ vgs/mL, for example lower than 10³ vgs/mL, are be administered. In some embodiments, rAAV particle compositions of higher than 10¹³ vgs/mL, for example higher than 10¹⁵ vgs/mL, are administered. In some embodiments, 0.0001 mL to 10 mLs are delivered to a subject (e.g., via one or more routes of administration as described in this application).

IV and IT injections are routine non-surgical procedures that are often done in an outpatient setting with minimal risk (Mattar, C. et al., FASEB J, 29(9):3876, 2015; Gray, S. et al., Gene Ther, 20(4):450-9, 2013; Federici, T. et al., Gene Ther, 19(8):852, 2012; Snyder, B. et al., Hum Gene Ther, 22(9):1129, 2011).

The pharmaceutical forms of the rAAV particle compositions suitable for injectable use include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions. In some embodiments, the form is sterile and fluid to the extent that easy syringability exists. In some embodiments, the form is stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage and is preserved against the contaminating action of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. In some embodiments, the form is sterile. The carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, saline, ethanol, polyol (e.g., glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyethylene glycol, and the like), suitable mixtures thereof, and/or vegetable oils. Proper fluidity may be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating, such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersion and by the use of surfactants.

For administration of an injectable aqueous solution, for example, the solution may be suitably buffered, if necessary, and the liquid diluent first rendered isotonic with sufficient saline or glucose. These particular aqueous solutions are especially suitable for intravenous, intramuscular, intravitreal, subretinal, subcutaneous and intraperitoneal administration. In this connection, a sterile aqueous medium that can be employed will be known to those of skill in the art in light of the present disclosure. For example, one dosage may be dissolved in 1 ml of isotonic NaCl solution and either added to 1000 ml of hypodermoclysis fluid or injected at the proposed site of infusion, (see for example, “Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences” 15th Edition, pages 1035-1038 and 1570-1580). Some variation in dosage will necessarily occur depending on the condition of the subject being treated. The person responsible for administration will, in any event, determine the appropriate dose for the individual subject. Moreover, for human administration, preparations should meet sterility, pyrogenicity, and the general safety and purity standards as required by, e.g., FDA Office of Biologics standards.

Sterile injectable solutions are prepared by incorporating the rAAV particles in the required amount in the appropriate solvent with several of the other ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed by filtered sterilization or another sterilization technique. Generally, dispersions are prepared by incorporating the various sterilized active ingredients into a sterile vehicle which contains the basic dispersion medium and the required other ingredients from those enumerated above. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions, the preferred methods of preparation are vacuum-drying and freeze-drying techniques which yield a powder of the active ingredient plus any additional desired ingredient from a previously sterile-filtered solution thereof.

The composition may include rAAV particles, either alone, or in combination with one or more additional active ingredients, which may be obtained from natural or recombinant sources or chemically synthesized.

Toxicity and efficacy of the compositions utilized in methods of the disclosure can be determined by standard pharmaceutical procedures, using either cells in culture or experimental animals to determine the LD50 (the dose lethal to 50% of the population). The dose ratio between toxicity and efficacy the therapeutic index and it can be expressed as the ratio LD50/ED50. Those compositions that exhibit large therapeutic indices are preferred. While those that exhibit toxic side effects may be used, care should be taken to design a delivery system that minimizes the potential damage of such side effects. The dosage of compositions as described herein lies generally within a range that includes an ED50 with little or no toxicity. The dosage may vary within this range depending upon the dosage form employed and the route of administration utilized.

Subjects

Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods for use with a subject, such as human or non-human primate subjects. Non-limiting examples of non-human primate subjects include macaques (e.g., cynomolgus or rhesus macaques), marmosets, tamarins, spider monkeys, owl monkeys, vervet monkeys, squirrel monkeys, baboons, gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans. In some embodiments, the subject is a human subject. Other exemplary subjects include domesticated animals such as dogs and cats; livestock such as horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and chickens; and other animals such as mice, rats, guinea pigs, and hamsters.

In some embodiments, the subject has or is suspected of having a disease that may be treated with gene therapy. In some embodiments, the subject has or is suspected of having Friedreich's ataxia. Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is a rare inherited disease that causes degeneration of the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system. Subjects with FRDA generally have an expanded number of GAA repeats in the FXN gene. A subject generally must have both copies of the FXN with expanded repeats to develop FRDA, although about 2 percent of subjects have one copy of the FXN gene with expanded repeats and another different type of mutation in the other copy of the FXN gene. Generally, if a subject has more than 66 to more than 1,000 GAA repeats in both copies of the FXN gene, they will develop FRDA. Symptoms of FRDA include gait ataxia, loss of sensation in the extremities, loss of tendon reflexes, scoliosis, dysarthria, hearing loss, vision loss, chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations. Subjects with FRDA may also develop carbohydrate intolerance or diabetes. Subjects with fewer than 300 repeats may develop symptoms later in life than those with additional repeats. Subject having FRDA can be identified by the skilled practitioner using methods known in the art or described herein, e.g., using genetic testing, electromyogram (EMG), nerve conduction studies, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, blood tests for elevated glucose and vitamin E, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans, and combinations thereof.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, based on the above description, utilize the present disclosure to its fullest extent. The following specific embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever. All publications cited herein are incorporated by reference for the purposes or subject matter referenced herein.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Frataxin: A Putative Biomarker for Minimal Effective Dosage of AAV Gene Therapy

Friedrich ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder caused by a triplet repeat expansion in the frataxin gene (FXN), which encodes the mitochondrial protein frataxin. Deficiency in frataxin expression results in severe mitochondrial dysfunction leading to progressive gait abnormality, impaired muscle coordination, muscle weakness, hyporeflexia, dysmetria, dysarthria, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Currently, there are no approved treatments for FRDA, which is the most common occurring autosomal recessive ataxia, affecting 1 in 50,000 people worldwide. Precise quantification of frataxin levels is critical for establishing the effectiveness of potential therapies. Therefore, methods that improve detection of FXN expression will facilitate the implementation of novel therapies into a clinical setting. The overall objective was to establish an approach for effective gene transfer and quantification of frataxin levels sufficient to restore mitochondrial function. Stable isotope labeling of amino acids in cell culture or in mammals (SILAC/M) is a novel and sensitive mass spectrometry based approach used herein for the quantification of frataxin levels; therefore enabling determination of required levels for correction of FXN deficiency.

A rAAV2/9-FXN vector expressing codon optimized human FXN was generated for use in models of FRDA. rAAV2/9 means that the nucleic acid vector contained AAV2 ITRs and the capsid encapsidating the nucleic acid vector was an AAV9 capsid. A map of a non-limiting plasmid containing the FXN expression construct is shown in FIG. 1. The sequence of the plasmid is below. The sequence of the Desmin promoter in the plasmid is also shown (SEQ ID NO: 2, and see also FIG. 6). The frataxin gene sequence was codon-optimized using LifeTechnologies strategy using GeneOptimizer® software which calculates the optimal DNA sequence needed to encode the protein of interest (gene optimization).

AAV plasmid with Human FXN codon-optimized coding sequence and truncated 3′ UTR driven by Desmin promoter (ITR from position 22-164, Desmin promoter from position 171-882, SD/SA from position 896-1026, CDS (codon optimized human Frataxin - hFXNco) from position 1087-2034, 3′ UTR (human FXN 3′ UTR) from position 2035-3525, polyA signal from position 3550-3771, and ITR (complement) from position 3792-3934):  (SEQ ID NO: 10) 1 CTGCAGGGGG GGGGGGGGGG GGGTTGGCCA CTCCCTCTCT GCGCGCTCGC TCGCTCACTG  61 AGGCCGGGCG ACCAAAGGTC GCCCGACGCC CGGGCTTTGC CCGGGCGGCC TCAGTGAGCG  121 AGCGAGCGCG CAGAGAGGGA GTGGCCAACT CCATCACTAG GGGTTCCTCA GATCTTACCC  181 CCTGCCCCCC ACAGCTCCTC TCCTGTGCCT TGTTTCCCAG CCATGCGTTC TCCTCTATAA  241 ATACCCGCTC TGGTATTTGG GGTTGGCAGC TGTTGCTGCC AGGGAGATGG TTGGGTTGAC  301 ATGCGGCTCC TGACAAAACA CAAACCCCTG GTGTGTGTGG GCGTGGGTGG TGTGAGTAGG  361 GGGATGAATC AGGGAGGGGG CGGGGGACCC AGGGGGCAGG AGCCACACAA AGTCTGTGCG  421 GGGGTGGGAG CGCACATAGC AATTGGAAAC TGAAAGCTTA TCAGACCCTT TCTGGAAATC  481 AGCCCACTGT TTATAAACTT GAGGCCCCAC CCTCGAGATA ACCAGGGCTG AAAGAGGCCC  541 GCCTGGGGGC TGGAGACATG CTTGCTGCCT GCCCTGGCGA AGGATTGGCA GGCTTGCCCG  601 TCACAGGACC CCCGCTGGCT GACTCAGGGG CGCAGGCCTC TTGCGGGGGA GCTGGCCTCC  661 CCGCCCCCAC GGCCACGGGC CGCCCTTTCC TGGCAGGACA GCGGGATCTT GCAGCTGTCA  721 GGGGAGGGGA GGCGGGGGCT GATGTCAGGA GGGATACAAA TAGTGCCGAC GGCTGGGGGC  781 CCTGTCTCCC CTCGCCGCAT CCACTCTCCG GCCGGCCGCC TGTCCGCCGC CTCCTCCGTG  841 CGCCCGCCAG CCTCGCCCGC GCCGTCACCG TGAGGCACTG GGCAGGTAAG TATCAAAGTA  901 TCAAGGTTAC AAGACAGGTT TAAGGAGACC AATAGAAACT GGGCTTGTCG AGACAGAGAA  961 GACTCTTGCG TTTCTGATAG GCACCTATTG GTCTTACTGA CATCCACTTT GCCTTTCTCT  1021 CCACAGGCTA GCCTCGAGAA TTCACGCGTG GTACCTCTAG AGTCGACCGA TATCACTAGT  1081 GCCACCATGT GGACACTGGG GAGAAGGGCC GTGGCTGGAC TGCTGGCTTC TCCATCTCCA  1141 GCCCAGGCCC AGACCCTGAC CAGAGTGCCT AGACCTGCCG AACTGGCCCC TCTGTGTGGC  1201 AGAAGAGGCC TGAGAACCGA CATCGACGCC ACCTGTACCC CCAGAAGGGC CAGCAGCAAT  1261 CAGCGGGGCC TGAATCAGAT CTGGAACGTG AAGAAACAGA GCGTGTACCT GATGAACCTG  1321 AGAAAGAGCG GCACCCTGGG CCACCCTGGA AGCCTGGATG AGACAACCTA CGAGCGGCTG  1381 GCCGAGGAAA CCCTGGATTC CCTGGCCGAG TTCTTCGAGG ACCTGGCCGA CAAGCCCTAC  1441 ACCTTCGAGG ATTACGACGT GTCCTTCGGC AGCGGCGTGC TGACAGTGAA GCTGGGCGGA  1501 GATCTGGGCA CCTACGTGAT CAACAAGCAG ACCCCCAACA AACAGATCTG GCTGAGCAGC  1561 CCCAGCAGCG GCCCCAAGAG ATACGATTGG ACCGGCAAGA ACTGGGTGTT CAGCCACGAC  1621 GGCGTGTCCC TGCATGAGCT GCTGGCTGCC GAGCTGACCA AGGCCCTGAA AACAAAGCTG  1681 GACCTGAGCT GGCTGGCCTA CAGCGGCAAA GATGCCATCG ATATCCCCAG CCCCGTTTTA  1741 AGGACATTAA AAGCTATCAG GCCAAGACCC CAGCTTCATT ATGCAGCTGA GGTCTGTTTT  1801 TTGTTGTTGT TGTTGTTTAT TTTTTTTATT CCTGCTTTTG AGGACAGTTG GGCTATGTGT  1861 CACAGCTCTG TAGAAAGAAT GTGTTGCCTC CTACCTTGCC CCCAAGTTCT GATTTTTAAT  1921 TTCTATGGAA GATTTTTTGG ATTGTCGGAT TTCCTCCCTC ACATGATACC CCTTATCTTT  1981 TATAATGTCT TATGCCTATA CCTGAATATA ACAACCTTTA AAAAAGCAAA ATAATAAGAA  2041 GGAAAAATTC CAGGAGGGAA AATGAATTGT CTTCACTCTT CATTCTTTGA AGGATTTACT  2101 GCAAGAAGTA CATGAAGAGC AGCTGGTCAA CCTGCTCACT GTTCTATCTC CAAATGAGAC  2161 ACATTAAAGG GTAGCCTACA AATGTTTTCA GGCTTCTTTC AAAGTGTAAG CACTTCTGAG  2221 CTCTTTAGCA TTGAAGTGTC GAAAGCAACT CACACGGGAA GATCATTTCT TATTTGTGCT  2281 CTGTGACTGC CAAGGTGTGG CCTGCACTGG GTTGTCCAGG GAGACATGCA TCTAGTGCTG  2341 TTTCTCCCAC ATATTCACAT ACGTGTCTGT GTGTATATAT ATTTTTTCAA TTTAAAGGTT  2401 AGTATGGAAT CAGCTGCTAC AAGAATGCAA AAAATCTTCC AAAGACAAGA AAAGAGGAAA  2461 AAAAGCCGTT TTCATGAGCT GAGTGATGTA GCGTAACAAA CAAAATCATG GAGCTGAGGA  2521 GGTGCCTTGT AAACATGAAG GGGCAGATAA AGGAAGGAGA TACTCATGTT GATAAAGAGA  2581 GCCCTGGTCC TAGACATAGT TCAGCCACAA AGTAGTTGTC CCTTTGTGGA CAAGTTTCCC  2641 AAATTCCCTG GACCTCTGCT TCCCCATCTG TTAAATGAGA GAATAGAGTA TGGTTGATTC  2701 CCAGCATTCA GTGGTCCTGT CAAGCAACCT AACAGGCTAG TTCTAATTCC CTATTGGGTA  2761 GATGAGGGGA TGACAAAGAA CAGTTTTTAA GCTATATAGG AAACATTGTT ATTGGTGTTG  2821 CCCTATCGTG ATTTCAGTTG AATTCATGTG AAAATAATAG CCATCCTTGG CCTGGCGCGG  2881 TGGCTCACAC CTGTAATCCC AGCACTTTTG GAGGCCAAGG TGGGTGGATC ACCTGAGGTC  2941 AGGAGTTCAA GACCAGCCTG GCCAACATGA TGAAACCCCG TCTCTACTAA AAATACAAAA  3001 AATTAGCCGG GCATGATGGC AGGTGCCTGT AATCCCAGCT ACTTGGGAGG CTGAAGCGGA  3061 AGAATCGCTT GAACCCAGAG GTGGAGGTTG CAGTGAGCCG AGATCGTGCC ATTGCACTGT  3121 AACCTGGGTG ACTGAGCAAA ACTCTGTCTC AAAATAATAA TAACAATATA ATAATAATAA  3181 TAGCCATCCT TTATTGTACC CTTACTGGGT TAATCGTATT ATACCACATT ACCTCATTTT  3241 AATTTTTACT GACCTGCACT TTATACAAAG CAACAAGCCT CCAGGACATT AAAATTCATG  3301 CAAAGTTATG CTCATGTTAT ATTATTTTCT TACTTAAAGA AGGATTTATT AGTGGCTGGG  3361 CATGGTGGCG TGCACCTGTA ATCCCAGGTA CTCAGGAGGC TGAGACGGGA GAATTGCTTG  3421 ACCCCAGGCG GAGGAGGTTA CAGTGAGTCG AGATCGTACC TGAGCGACAG AGCGAGACTC  3481 CGTCTCAAAA AAAAAAAAAA GGAGGGTTTA TTAATGAGAA GTTTGGTCGA CTAGAGCGGC  3541 CGCTTCGAGC AGACATGATA AGATACATTG ATGAGTTTGG ACAAACCACA ACTAGAATGC  3601 AGTGAAAAAA ATGCTTTATT TGTGAAATTT GTGATGCTAT TGCTTTATTT GTAACCATTA  3661 TAAGCTGCAA TAAACAAGTT AACAACAACA ATTGCATTCA TTTTATGTTT CAGGTTCAGG  3721 GGGAGATGTG GGAGGTTTTT TAAAGCAAGT AAAACCTCTA CAAATGTGGT AAAATCGATA  3781 AGGATCTAGG AACCCCTAGT GATGGAGTTG GCCACTCCCT CTCTGCGCGC TCGCTCGCTC  3841 ACTGAGGCCG CCCGGGCAAA GCCCGGGCGT CGGGCGACCT TTGGTCGCCC GGCCTCAGTG  3901 AGCGAGCGAG CGCGCAGAGA GGGAGTGGCC AACCCCCCCC CCCCCCCCCC TGCAGCCTGG  3961 CGTAATAGCG AAGAGGCCCG CACCGATCGC CCTTCCCAAC AGTTGCGTAG CCTGAATGGC  4021 GAATGGCGCG ACGCGCCCTG TAGCGGCGCA TTAAGCGCGG CGGGTGTGGT GGTTACGCGC  4081 AGCGTGACCG CTACACTTGC CAGCGCCCTA GCGCCCGCTC CTTTCGCTTT CTTCCCTTCC  4141 TTTCTCGCCA CGTTCGCCGG CTTTCCCCGT CAAGCTCTAA ATCGGGGGCT CCCTTTAGGG  4201 TTCCGATTTA GTGCTTTACG GCACCTCGAC CCCAAAAAAC TTGATTAGGG TGATGGTTCA  4261 CGTAGTGGGC CATCGCCCTG ATAGACGGTT TTTCGCCCTT TGACGTTGGA GTCCACGTTC  4321 TTTAATAGTG GACTCTTGTT CCAAACTGGA ACAACACTCA ACCCTATCTC GGTCTATTCT  4381 TTTGATTTAT AAGGGATTTT GCCGATTTCG GCCTATTGGT TAAAAAATGA GCTGATTTAA  4441 CAAAAATTTA ACGCGAATTT TAACAAAATA TTAACGTTTA CAATTTCCTG ATGCGGTATT  4501 TTCTCCTTAC GCATCTGTGC GGTATTTCAC ACCGCATATG GTGCACTCTC AGTACAATCT  4561 GCTCTGATGC CGCATAGTTA AGCCAGCCCC GACACCCGCC AACACCCGCT GACGCGCCCT  4621 GACGGGCTTG TCTGCTCCCG GCATCCGCTT ACAGACAAGC TGTGACCGTC TCCGGGAGCT  4681 GCATGTGTCA GAGGTTTTCA CCGTCATCAC CGAAACGCGC GAGACGAAAG GGCCTCGTGA  4741 TACGCCTATT TTTATAGGTT AATGTCATGA TAATAATGGT TTCTTAGACG TCAGGTGGCA  4801 CTTTTCGGGG AAATGTGCGC GGAACCCCTA TTTGTTTATT TTTCTAAATA CATTCAAATA  4861 TGTATCCGCT CATGAGACAA TAACCCTGAT AAATGCTTCA ATAATATTGA AAAAGGAAGA  4921 GTATGAGTAT TCAACATTTC CGTGTCGCCC TTATTCCCTT TTTTGCGGCA TTTTGCCTTC  4981 CTGTTTTTGC TCACCCAGAA ACGCTGGTGA AAGTAAAAGA TGCTGAAGAT CAGTTGGGTG  5041 CACGAGTGGG TTACATCGAA CTGGATCTCA ACAGCGGTAA GATCCTTGAG AGTTTTCGCC  5101 CCGAAGAACG TTTTCCAATG ATGAGCACTT TTAAAGTTCT GCTATGTGGC GCGGTATTAT  5161 CCCGTATTGA CGCCGGGCAA GAGCAACTCG GTCGCCGCAT ACACTATTCT CAGAATGACT  5221 TGGTTGAGTA CTCACCAGTC ACAGAAAAGC ATCTTACGGA TGGCATGACA GTAAGAGAAT  5281 TATGCAGTGC TGCCATAACC ATGAGTGATA ACACTGCGGC CAACTTACTT CTGACAACGA  5341 TCGGAGGACC GAAGGAGCTA ACCGCTTTTT TGCACAACAT GGGGGATCAT GTAACTCGCC  5401 TTGATCGTTG GGAACCGGAG CTGAATGAAG CCATACCAAA CGACGAGCGT GACACCACGA  5461 TGCCTGTAGC AATGGCAACA ACGTTGCGCA AACTATTAAC TGGCGAACTA CTTACTCTAG  5521 CTTCCCGGCA ACAATTAATA GACTGGATGG AGGCGGATAA AGTTGCAGGA CCACTTCTGC  5581 GCTCGGCCCT TCCGGCTGGC TGGTTTATTG CTGATAAATC TGGAGCCGGT GAGCGTGGGT  5641 CTCGCGGTAT CATTGCAGCA CTGGGGCCAG ATGGTAAGCC CTCCCGTATC GTAGTTATCT  5701 ACACGACGGG GAGTCAGGCA ACTATGGATG AACGAAATAG ACAGATCGCT GAGATAGGTG  5761 CCTCACTGAT TAAGCATTGG TAACTGTCAG ACCAAGTTTA CTCATATATA CTTTAGATTG  5821 ATTTAAAACT TCATTTTTAA TTTAAAAGGA TCTAGGTGAA GATCCTTTTT GATAATCTCA  5881 TGACCAAAAT CCCTTAACGT GAGTTTTCGT TCCACTGAGC GTCAGACCCC GTAGAAAAGA  5941 TCAAAGGATC TTCTTGAGAT CCTTTTTTTC TGCGCGTAAT CTGCTGCTTG CAAACAAAAA  6001 AACCACCGCT ACCAGCGGTG GTTTGTTTGC CGGATCAAGA GCTACCAACT CTTTTTCCGA  6061 AGGTAACTGG CTTCAGCAGA GCGCAGATAC CAAATACTGT CCTTCTAGTG TAGCCGTAGT  6121 TAGGCCACCA CTTCAAGAAC TCTGTAGCAC CGCCTACATA CCTCGCTCTG CTAATCCTGT  6181 TACCAGTGGC TGCTGCCAGT GGCGATAAGT CGTGTCTTAC CGGGTTGGAC TCAAGACGAT  6241 AGTTACCGGA TAAGGCGCAG CGGTCGGGCT GAACGGGGGG TTCGTGCACA CAGCCCAGCT  6301 TGGAGCGAAC GACCTACACC GAACTGAGAT ACCTACAGCG TGAGCATTGA GAAAGCGCCA  6361 CGCTTCCCGA AGGGAGAAAG GCGGACAGGT ATCCGGTAAG CGGCAGGGTC GGAACAGGAG  6421 AGCGCACGAG GGAGCTTCCA GGGGGAAACG CCTGGTATCT TTATAGTCCT GTCGGGTTTC  6481 GCCACCTCTG ACTTGAGCGT CGATTTTTGT GATGCTCGTC AGGGGGGCGG AGCCTATGGA  6541 AAAACGCCAG CAACGCGGCC TTTTTACGGT TCCTGGCCTT TTGCTGGCCT TTTGCTCACA  6601 TGTTCTTTCC TGCGTTATCC CCTGATTCTG TGGATAACCG TATTACCGCC TTTGAGTGAG  6661 CTGATACCGC TCGCCGCAGC CGAACGACCG AGCGCAGCGA GTCAGTGAGC GAGGAAGCGG  6721 AAGAGCGCCC AATACGCAAA CCGCCTCTCC CCGCGCGTTG GCCGATTCAT TAATGCAGGG 

A polypeptide translation is as follows:

(SEQ ID NO: 11) MWTLGRRAVAGLLASPSPAQAQTLTRVPRPAELAPLCGRRGLRTDIDATC TPRRASSNQRGLNQIWNVKKQSVYLMNLRKSGTLGHPGSLDETTYERLAE ETLDSLAEFFEDLADKPYTFEDYDVSFGSGVLTVKLGGDLGTYVINKQTP NKQIWLSSPSSGPKRYDWTGKNWVFSHDGVSLHELLAAELTKALKTKLDL SWLAYSGKDAIDIPSPVLRTLKAIRPRPQLHYAAEVCFLLLLLFIFFIPA FEDSWAMCHSSVERMCCLLPCPQVLIFNFYGRFFGLSDFLPHMIPLIFYN VLCLYLNITTFKKAK

Renal epithelial cells (REC) were isolated from control and FRDA patients, and SILAC was used to quantify AAV-mediated FXN expression in-vitro. Induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSC) were generated from the RECs, and were subsequently differentiated to cardiomyocytes and neurons. AAV-mediated correction of FXN was verified by increased mitochondrial activity including reduced iron deposition and increased aconitase function in FRDA cells. Preliminary results showed that SILAC/M was able to accurately measure endogenous and vector derived FXN expression in-vitro and in-vivo. Moreover, improvement in mitochondrial function was correlated with levels of FXN expression in vitro. These studies indicate that rAAV vectors of the present disclosure are useful to treat FRDA.

Example 2 Development of an AAV Vector to Treat Friedreich's Ataxia

A clinical candidate vector was designed to express frataxin. The vector contained an expression cassette with human Desmin (DES) promoter driving codon-optimized human FXN with a truncated human FXN 3′ UTR. The expression cassette was flanked by AAV2 ITRs. The plasmid containing the expression cassette is shown in FIG. 1 and is further described in Example 1. The plasmid was used with AAV2 rep and AAV9 capsid helper plasmids to package the vector in an AAV9 capsid, resulting in rAAV2/9-FXN, which was used in all of the studies described below.

A cellular model of FRDA was developed as follows. FA2 cells are renal epithelial cells that were derived from FRDA patients (FIG. 2A). Induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) were generated from the FA2 cells (FIG. 2B) and were differentiated into cardiomyocytes (FIG. 2C) and neural progenitor cells. Cardiomyocyte differentiation took about two weeks, whereas neural progenitor cell differentiation took about three weeks.

The IPSC differentiation to cardiomyocytes and progenitor cells was validated by assessing cardiac and neuronal markers. NKX2.5 and TroponinT were used as markers of cardiomyocytes. The IPSCs differentiated into cardiomyocytes expressed both markers (FIG. 3A). Neurofluor CDr3 was used to confirm neural progenitor cell differentiation. The IPSCs differentiated into neural progenitors stained positive with Neurofluor CDr3 (FIG. 3B).

Next, FA2 cells were transiently transfected with the plasmid containing the FXN expression construct and FXN protein levels were analyzed by Western Blot and the Li-COR Odyssey Imaging system. FA2 transiently transfected cells showing dose dependent increases of FXN (FIG. 4).

Lastly, an aconitase activity assay was used to assess mitochondrial health in FA2 cells. Aconitase is a robust indicator of mitochondrial health. Moreover, in FXN deficient environments aconitase becomes susceptible to ROS attack. FA2 cells were transiently transfected with the plasmid containing the FXN expression construct. Aconitase activity was higher in FA2 cells transfected with the plasmid than in FA2 cells not transfected with the plasmid (FIGS. 5A and 5B).

These results show that correction of FXN expression in-vitro increased aconitase activity. Aconitase activity increased proportionally to FXN in a dose dependent manner. Western Blot analysis revealed that the expression vector generated transcriptionally and functionally active FXN. These results suggest that rAAV compositions of the present disclosure are useful, in some embodiments, for AAV-mediated gene therapy for FXN replacement in Friedreich's Ataxia.

Other Embodiments

All of the features disclosed in this specification may be combined in any combination. Each feature disclosed in this specification may be replaced by an alternative feature serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is only an example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

From the above description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the present disclosure, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the disclosure to adapt it to various usages and conditions. Thus, other embodiments are also within the claims.

EQUIVALENTS

While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

All references, patents and patent applications disclosed herein are incorporated by reference with respect to the subject matter for which each is cited, which in some cases may encompass the entirety of the document.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e., “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03. It should be appreciated that embodiments described in this document using an open-ended transitional phrase (e.g., “comprising”) are also contemplated, in alternative embodiments, as “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” the feature described by the open-ended transitional phrase. For example, if the disclosure describes “a composition comprising A and B”, the disclosure also contemplates the alternative embodiments “a composition consisting of A and B” and “a composition consisting essentially of A and B”. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A nucleic acid comprising an expression construct comprising a human FXN 5′ untranslated region (FXN 5′ UTR), or a fragment thereof, and a human frataxin (FXN) coding sequence, wherein the expression construct is flanked on each side by an inverted terminal repeat sequence.
 2. The nucleic acid of claim 1, wherein the FXN 5′ UTR sequence is a human FXN promoter (hFXNPro) sequence or a fragment thereof.
 3. The nucleic acid of claim 2 comprising two or more fragments of a hFXNPro sequence.
 4. The nucleic acid of claim 2, wherein the fragment is derived from SEQ ID NO:
 8. 5. The nucleic acid of claim 1, wherein the FXN 5′ UTR sequence comprises a CACC box.
 6. The nucleic acid of claim 1, wherein the expression construct comprises an intron.
 7. A recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) particle comprising the nucleic acid of claim
 1. 8. The rAAV particle of claim 7, wherein the rAAV particle is an AAV9 particle.
 9. A composition comprising a plurality of the rAAV particle of claim
 7. 10. The composition of claim 9 further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 11. A method of treating Friedreich's ataxia, the method comprising: administering a therapeutically effective amount of the rAAV particle of claim 7 to a subject having Friedreich's ataxia.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the rAAV particle is administered via intravenous injection.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the rAAV particle is administered via intrathecal injection.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the rAAV particle is administered via intracisternal injection.
 15. The method of claim 12 further comprising administering the rAAV particle or composition via intrathecal injection.
 16. The method of claim 12 further comprising administering the rAAV particle or composition via intracisternal injection.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the ratio of rAAV particle administered to the subject via intravenous injection to rAAV particle administered to the subject via intrathecal injection is 1:10.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the ratio of rAAV particle administered to the subject via intravenous injection to rAAV particle administered to the subject via intracisternal injection is 1:10. 